Connecticut “lottery club” claims $2 million prize

Drawing Date: 8/24/2018

September 6, 2018 - Six years ago, Karen Cross of Trumbull, Conn., organized a “Lottery Club” at her place of work at Al Filippone Associates at William Raveis Real Estate in Fairfield where she diligently collected the money, bought the tickets and checked the numbers after every drawing.

Oddly enough, Karen gave it little thought when she received an early morning text alert that a $2 million winning Mega Millions ticket was sold in Connecticut for the Friday, August 24 drawing. When Karen later learned the winning ticket was sold at the Wheels Convenience Store in Fairfield, she kicked into high gear – it was the same place she last purchased the group’s tickets!

The winning numbers drawn on August 24, 2018 were 1 - 6 - 13 - 18 - 49, Mega Ball 8 and Megaplier 2.

Tickets in hand, Karen discovered one that missed the winning Mega Ball number, but matched the first five white ball numbers drawn. “I wasn’t sure what we won,” Karen told Lottery officials. “I thought it was $5,000 at first, but we were optimistic.”

Wasting no time, Karen returned to Wheels and scanned the ticket, while co-worker Vicki Ihlefeld of Fairfield FaceTimed with two other members of the Lottery Club back at the office. When the congratulatory message “Winner $2,000,000” popped up on the Ticket Checker, it took their breath away. “We stayed quiet and held it together in the store — we got goosebumps, but when we got inside the car we both just started screaming.”

Because the Mega Millions “Quick Pick” ticket was purchased with the Megaplier feature added, the $1,000,000 prize was automatically multiplied by 2 for $2,000,000.

Yesterday, Karen and several other co-workers arrived at CT Lottery Headquarters in Rocky Hill to claim the $2 million prize on behalf of all 31 members of the Lottery Club. Once the prize is divvied up amongst the winners, each will receive $64,516.13 (before taxes).

“I always wanted one of these,” said Karen as she was handed the super-sized “Winner” check and the group erupted into laughter. “I can’t believe we’re here. It’s been such a nice thing to share this experience with everyone together. We’re all so grateful.”

For selling the winning ticket, Wheels, located 2047 Post Road in Fairfield, will receive a $2,500 bonus from the CT Lottery.