Depending on the type of lottery ticket, state, and how often they are purchased, the chances of winning millions differs quite a bit. But one man’s odds of winning what he did were an almost unbelievable one in twelve trillion.
But it turned out he was one in twelve trillion as this New York man won not one, but two $10 million scratch tickets in the past year and a half.
The Story of Wayne Murray
In August of 2022, Wayne Murray walked into an H&A Gas & Convenience store in Brooklyn, New York and bought a Black Titanium scratch card.
After scratching the card, Murray realized that he had won an incredible $10 million, and proceeded to cash in his winnings. The life-long New Yorker had become an overnight multi-millionaire.
That’s Not the End of the Story
That alone would be a tale to tell, but that’s not even the end of this amazing story. Fifteen months later, in the fall of 2023, Murray bought another scratch ticket, this time a 200X, at the same store.
And upon scratching it, Murray realized that he had one another $10 million in an instant, a realization that was likely one of the wildest moments in his life.
Convenience Store Worker Couldn’t Believe It
When interviewed by Lottery Post, Hassan Nabil who works at the H&A gas where Murray bought both tickets said he just couldn’t believe what had happened.
His exact words were, “Twice in a row — what are the odds? You can’t even think about it. It’s not comprehensible.”
What Are the Chances of Winning Twice?
And Nabil isn’t wrong, it is incomprehensible that one person would win $10 million twice on scratch offs from one store in Brooklyn.
In fact, the odds of winning just one jackpot from a 200X scratch card are one in 3.5 million, and the odds of winning a Black Titanium card are one in 3.6 million. That makes Murray’s chances of winning both about one in 12 trillion.
How Much Did Murray Actually Make from the Scratch Offs?
Everyone knows that there are quite hefty taxes on lottery winnings, so you might be wondering: How much did Wayne Murray actually make from his two jackpot wins?
The Lottery Post reported that Murray took home two lump sums of $6,122,400 for each scratch card win, meaning that he now has $12.2448 million in his bank account.
What Murray Did With His $12.2 Million
Although Murray hasn’t disclosed to the public exactly what he’s done with his winnings, since he took home his first $6 million last year, it doesn’t seem like Murray has changed much in his life.
He didn’t buy a mansion or even move to a nicer apartment; he still lives in the same home he always has in East Flatbush, Brooklyn.
Murray Won’t Leave His Family Home in Brooklyn
When interviewed by Lottery Post, Wayne’s neighbor Constance Bryane explained that he had been living next to her for decades; she said, “He took care of his mother and his great aunt in that house until they both passed away. He’s all about family and his home and his neighborhood.”
And continued, “That’s his house and will always be his house even if he won the lottery a third time.”
The Money Couldn’t Have Gone to a Nicer Guy
Ms. Bryane also told the press that she didn’t even know her neighbor and friend had won the lottery the first time. “I had no idea,” she said, “He’s very humble that way. He just likes helping people any way he can. If people need a favor, he’ll go out of his way to do it.”
And Hassan Nabil, the gas station employee who sold Murray the cards, agreed, “He’s very friendly with the locals and very generous with his time.”
That Kind of Money Is Life Changing in More Ways Than One
Nabil also mentioned how Murray didn’t move away from his home, “He could have moved out of the neighborhood after winning the first time, but he stood his ground.”
And continued, “Money changes a lot of people, but he doesn’t show off or anything. He keeps it real, keeps it honest. It’s a game for him, so he just keeps playing. If you win, you just want to win more.”
Murray Wants to Stay “Discreet”
The truth is that not many people know how Murray feels about taking home more than $12 million, or winning the lottery twice in a row.
The only thing Murray told the press when questioned about his exceptional luck is that “It feels very humbling and liberating. Some of us just like to be discreet. I just want to be discreet, that’s all it is.”
Playing the Lottery Could Actually Change Your Life, But It’s Not Likely
After reading this story, there’s no doubt that many people will want to race out to the nearest store and buy a 200X scratch off or a lottery ticket, but the truth is that Wayne Murray was simply incredible lucky.
The likelihood of winning the lottery once, let alone twice, and to the tune of $20 million is one in several trillion, so make sure you don’t spend all your hard earned money on a hope and prayer.
