Virginia Beach man kept tabs on growing lottery jackpot, then nabs historic win
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A sailor wound down with an online lottery game — and nabbed the largest instant win in an online game in U.S. history, according to the Virginia Lottery.
“It was surreal!” Byron Bundoc told officials. “I called my brother and said, ‘You’re not going to believe this!’”
The Virginia Beach man said he just returned from volunteering and was playing the Jackpot Spectacular game in his driveway when he realized he’d won the $1,817,588 prize, according to a news release.
The instant win game features “a progressive, growing jackpot” and requires players to uncover at least three matching symbols to win, the Virginia Lottery website says.
Bundoc, who’s serving in the U.S. Navy, had been keeping an eye on the growing jackpot as it swelled to a historic high.
The odds of winning a prize in the game are 1 in 3.99, according to officials. Odds of winning the jackpot “vary by price point.”
The sailor didn’t say how he plans to spend his newfound wealth.
Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.
