Hoosier Story

CRAIG J

Game Name: HOOSIER LOTTO Purchased-city: FORT WAYNE Game Won: 8/14/2021 Amount Won: $15,800,000 The first Hoosier Lotto^® jackpot winner in 2021!

Craig J., Plainfield, Ind., claimed his prize with his family at the Hoosier Lottery Headquarters in downtown Indianapolis on Friday, August 20 from Hoosier Lottery Executive Director Sarah M. Taylor.
 
The lifelong Hoosier did not realize he had the winning ticket for two days. “I cut grass on Sunday, worked Monday, and didn’t think to look at it until Tuesday,” said Craig. “The whole time it was in my wallet.”

Soon the jackpot win started to become clear. On Tuesday, the semi-driver of more than 25 years was at a gas station and had the ticket scanned. The register read, “Claim at Hoosier Lottery office in Indianapolis.” Later he checked the ticket again at home. “I checked it and had to stumble for my glasses. I just stared at those numbers.” Then he stopped at a convenience store and requested the winning numbers be printed out—they matched again. At that point the winner called into the Hoosier Lottery and shared, “I think I won the lottery.”

“I have carried that ticket with me ever since and did not let it out of my sight,” said Craig. “I’m overwhelmed and the emotion has built up in my chest.”

The husband and father has always worked hard and tried to instill those values. He goes to work and cuts grass on the side. “The dollars earned from cutting grass is my little extra money.”

When asked about plans with the jackpot funds, the winner said, “Retirement is in the plans. I am not a big spender. I may get myself a treat. I love cutting grass and will continue to do that. After driving a semi for many years, I think I’d rather drive a school bus.”

The winning ticket was transacted at Lassus Bros. Oil #32 located at 12010 US Highway 24 W in Fort Wayne. Craig stopped along his truck route to redeem a free Hoosier Lotto ticket received from previous play—he hit the jackpot on the free ticket.

“When we heard that the jackpot was won in one of our Fort Wayne locations we were super excited,” said Lassus Bros. Oil, Inc., Vice President of Operations Stephanie Galentine. “The fact that the winner comes from a free ticket is just amazing. I can’t imagine how they feel. Once it was announced that we had a winner our customers were super excited and very curious if it was someone local or not.”

Seventy-six Hoosier Lotto drawings occurred since the last jackpot win back on Saturday, November 21, 2020 in Santa Claus, Ind. That jackpot was $2.2 million. The Hoosier Lotto jackpot was won five times in 2020.