MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA – A routine stop for lottery tickets turned into a life-changing moment for Joel McCauley, who won a staggering $7.5 million playing the 2025 California Lottery Scratchers® game, the California Lottery announced. But instead of celebrating, he did what he always does—went to work.
McCauley, a regular at Liquor, Tobacco & More on Rengstorff Avenue in Mountain View, initially thought his ticket was worth just $7,500. It wasn’t until he scanned it again in his truck using the California Lottery app that he realized he had hit the jackpot.
Rather than quitting his job, McCauley plans to invest his winnings and keep his daily routine—including stopping by his favorite store for more tickets.
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