"Magnificent" movie error results in quarter-million-dollar win

By Kate Northrop

JOHNSTON CITY, Ill. — An Illinois woman was bemoaning an accidental lottery purchase, but the mistake turned out to be one in her favor when she scooped a $250,000 FastPlay jackpot.

A brief mistake ended up rewarding an Illinois lottery player, whose unintentional ticket purchase landed her a hefty sum of $250,000.

The Johnston City resident, who was identified by the Illinois Lottery as Holly, was all smiles when she came into Lottery offices to claim the prize that was borne of a happy accident.

It wasn't that she had not intended to play the lottery at all, rather she had mistakenly bought a lottery ticket for the wrong game.

"I meant to buy the $2 'Booming Bucks,'" she told Lottery officials with a laugh. "I was watching a movie and accidentally selected the $20 ticket."

The FastPlay game she had entered instead was "Magnificent Multiplier."

"Oh shoot! I didn't want to spend that much," Holly had recalled thinking.

The little pang of regret didn't last long at all. It was replaced by an instant feeling of confusion and surprise.

"I was sitting at my desk in my home office," the winner continued. "I honestly thought my computer had crashed."

She decided to go show her husband the ticket, and in doing so, nonchalantly revealed a rather monumental piece of news.

"Before I could even show him the ticket, he said, 'It's so late — did you make a meme?'" Holly recounted to the Lottery. "I told him, 'No silly — I won the jackpot!'"

Having claimed her winnings, the retired teacher said the prize will help her move her plans along, including building a new family home and purchasing a baby grand piano to further pursue her passion for music.

There are currently 35 FastPlay games available at various price points and play styles in the Illinois Lottery. Tickets can be purchased in-person at retailers or online through the Lottery's official website or mobile app.

(Click to display full-size in gallery)Holly of Johnston City, Illinois, celebrates with a big smile after winning a $250,000 jackpot playing the Illinois Lottery's Magnificent Multiplier FastPlay game online.