$820 millionMega MillionsJackpot Tomorrow

Tuesday July 25  sees players trying to win the massive $820 million Mega Millions jackpot. Already celebrating success is Michael ‘Hoogie’ Hoogerwerf from Davenport in Iowa, USA, who won $1 million in the June 23 draw.

Not a prank

Being known as a bit of a practical joker, it took a while for him to convince his three daughters that he’d won $1 million but did so eventually. The trio accompanied their father when he claimed his winnings from Lottery HQ. Melissa joked that part of her still thought this might be “the best prank ever.”

The 70-year-old is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He didn’t watch the Mega Millions draw live and it wasn’t until the following day that he learnt about his big win. At the time he was taking part in a charity motorcycle ride when he received a phone call.

It was from the manager of the store where he regularly bought his tickets. He was spreading the news that the store had sold a $1 million winning Mega Millions ticket and suspected that he might be the winner.

The ticket was in his wallet so he asked the store manager to read out the winning numbers. That’s when he discovered it had matched the five main balls to win him $1 million.

Two fist pumps

“I just kind of took it in stride,” recalled the Mega Millions winner. It was the store manager who seemed to be more excited, almost passing out. Michael returned home soon after and admitted “I did release the handlebar and do a fist pump - twice.”

It pays to take a bit of time before claiming a big win such as this. That was the case here as the winner decided to consult a lawyer and an accountant before coming forward.

He was also in touch with contractors about having some work carried out on his house. That will include getting electricity in his garage. Also planned is making some investments so it looks as if his Mega Millions winnings will be spent wisely.

Buy Mega Millions tickets from Lottery24.