A trip to Wawa usually makes you spend money, but a New Jersey player won $1 million after their recent visit to the store.  

During a family trip to the Jersey Shore, the million-dollar lottery winner had the beginning of their day planned out but decided to take a trip to Wawa as well, the New Jersey Lottery said in the press release.  

“I usually get up, go for a walk, get my coffee and a couple of scratch offs. But this time, I was on a mission,” the winner, who chose to remain anonymous, told lottery officials. “Something told me to get up, get my shoes out and get my tickets.” 

While at Wawa, the winner spotted a $20 Diamond Spectacular scratch-off ticket.

“Something caught my eye, and I said, ‘Let me buy that,’” the winner said.  

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The top prize for the ticket is $1 million, the lottery said.  The lottery said that two of the three $1 million top prizes have been claimed in New Jersey.

“Like any player, I guess, I have a routine. I scratch the bonus section first,” the winner said. “I didn’t win there. Then I scratched the winning numbers (at the top of the card). It looked like I was going to win something. Maybe a free ticket, I thought.” 

“I kept going, and…Oh. My. God. I won! I was in shock. Tears were in my eyes,” the lottery player said. “The clerk came over, looked at me and asked if she needed to call an ambulance.”   

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New Jersey lottery player wins $1 million at ‘lucky’ Wawa  

The million-dollar lottery winner told lottery officials that the Wawa where they bought their ticket has made a few players winners.

“Before I played, that Wawa had another winner of a couple thousand; it must be a lucky Wawa,” the winner said 

What does the winner plan to do with their winnings?  

Before going to the New Jersey Lottery office to claim their prize, the winner took a few months to decide what they were going to do with their winnings, the lottery said.  

“I’ve won a couple hundred dollars since I’ve won (the million dollars). And I want to keep (working). I would go out of my mind otherwise,” the winner said. “There’s people who win tens of millions. But for me, this is life changing enough.” 

The winner told lottery officials that the money they won will go towards a beach house.  

“It will be a little, tiny place,” the winner said. “But that’s all I need.” 

Where to buy tickets

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.