IL Mom Of 4 Wins $200,000 On Scratch-Off, Will Treat Husband To Dinner

CHICAGO — A Chicago woman was stunned to find she'd hit a big win on her favorite scratch-off ticket.

A quick stop at a neighborhood grocery store turned into a jackpot windfall for the mother of four, whose scratch-off ticket won her $200,000.

The winner, who chose to remain anonymous under the name "Bingo Lady," said she was thrilled to score the jackpot on her favorite game, Illinois Lottery’s 7X Bingo Multiplier.

“This is my favorite ticket to play,” she said. “I even won $1,000 on the same ticket about three months ago.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Ftex Foods, located at 5756 W. Chicago Ave. in Chicago. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus—equal to 1 percent of the prize amount— for selling the winning ticket.

Bingo Lady discovered the big win at home.

“I was in shock,” she said. “I immediately woke my husband up, and guess what he said? ‘What? We gotta pay the rent!’” she laughed.

She quickly shared the exciting news with her four children and a close friend, who all celebrated alongside her.

When it comes to her winnings, Bingo Lady plans to focus on her family’s future.

"Most of the money will go toward supporting my kids and their future," she said. "And I’ll treat my husband to dinner at our favorite restaurant."

In addition to creating memorable moments for players, every 7X Bingo Multiplier scratch-off ticket is part of the Illinois Lottery’s Play With Purpose initiative. One hundred percent of profits from the specialty ticket benefit the following good causes throughout Illinois:

• Alzheimer’s support programs
• Breast cancer research and support services
• HIV/AIDS education and research programs
• Homelessness prevention and assistance programs
• IL Dream Fund Commission scholarships
• Multiple Sclerosis research
• Police Memorials support programs
• Special Olympics Illinois athletes
• The United Negro College Fund scholarships
• Veterans’ support programs

Since 1985, the Illinois Lottery has contributed more than $25 billion in revenue to educational funding and other good causes statewide.

The Illinois Lottery currently offers a wide variety of Instant Ticket games ranging in price from $1 to $50, available at approximately 7,000 retail locations across Illinois. Be Smart, Play Smart. Must be 18 or older to play. Game odds available at IllinoisLottery.com.