National

Lottery player has computer pick numbers for once — and he wins big. ‘I’ll be danged’

The winner kept the prize amount a secret from his wife until the morning they went to claim it, Arkansas lottery officials said.
The winner kept the prize amount a secret from his wife until the morning they went to claim it, Arkansas lottery officials said. Photo from Arkansas Scholarship Lottery

An Arkansas man finally won big after letting the computer decide his lottery numbers for a change.

John Williams, of White Hall, won the $110,000 jackpot in the May 10 Natural State Jackpot drawing, according to a May 21 news release from Arkansas lottery officials.

Williams said he buys tickets every Sunday, but has had little luck selecting winning numbers.

“I said, ‘Let me get a better system,’” Williams told officials. Instead, he let the computer choose his Quick Pick numbers.

Williams ended up with three prizes totaling $1, $40 and $110,000, according to lottery officials.

“Well, I’ll be danged,” he said.

At first, Williams thought he’d won a few hundred dollars and asked a family member to verify his win, officials said.

After learning he hit the jackpot, he decided to surprise his wife by keeping the prize amount a secret until the morning they went to claim the prize in person.

“I thought he was joking!” his wife said. “He always teases like that.”

Williams purchased the winning Quick Pick ticket at J & B Gas and Grill in Jefferson.

White Hall is about a 40-mile drive southeast from Little Rock.

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 May 21, 2024 at 6:19 PM with the headline "Lottery player has computer pick numbers for once — and he wins big. ‘I’ll be danged’."

Lauren Liebhaber
mcclatchy-newsroom
Lauren Liebhaber covers international science news with a focus on taxonomy and archaeology at McClatchy. She holds a bachelor’s degree from St. Lawrence University and a master’s degree from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University. Previously, she worked as a data journalist at Stacker.
Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER