National

Lottery player had to check game three times before believing big win in California

A woman bought a winning Scratcher ticket from a grocery store in Lodi, California.
A woman bought a winning Scratcher ticket from a grocery store in Lodi, California. Photo from Giorgio Trovato, UnSplash

A woman won a big lottery prize in California, but she had to check her ticket three times before she believed it.

Cornelia Treichel-Rocque has now claimed her $1 million prize.

The lucky lottery player first bought a Cloud 9 Scratcher from a Raley’s grocery store in Lodi, the California Lottery said in an Oct. 26 news release.

Treichel-Rocque bought the Scratcher because it caught her eye, she told lottery officials.

She scanned the ticket instead of scratching it, as she always does.

“It’s just quicker that way. And that’s how I found out I won!” Treichel-Rocque told lottery officials.

But she didn’t believe she won $1 million at first. So she checked her ticket twice, then went to the store to check it again.

Lottery officials said another player also recently scored a $1 million prize from the Cloud 9 game.

The Cloud 9 game cost $10 to play. Players have to match any of “Your Numbers” to the “Winning Numbers,” and they win that prize.

The top prize is $1 million.

Lodi is about 35 miles south of Sacramento.

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.

Read Next
Read Next
Read Next

This story was originally published October 27, 2023 at 6:15 PM with the headline "Lottery player had to check game three times before believing big win in California."

Helena Wegner
McClatchy DC
Helena Wegner is a McClatchy National Real-Time Reporter covering the state of Washington and the western region. She’s a journalism graduate from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication. She’s based in Phoenix.
Get one year of unlimited digital access for $159.99
#ReadLocal

Only 44¢ per day

SUBSCRIBE NOW