Though a lottery win can be life-altering, there are also some shadowy sides to this lucrative industry. Be wary of greedy friends and relatives, con artists, charity cases, and other individuals who would seek to take advantage of your newfound fortune.
Avoiding self-defeating habits is key for staying out of trouble. Thankfully, there are numerous real life examples of jackpot winners who were successful in staying motivated after their big win.
1. John Tippin
John Tippin, an out-of-control gambler, won a slot jackpot in 1996 and his life took an unexpected turn. He divorced his wife, began drinking heavily, and spent money recklessly.
He then traveled to Las Vegas and won $11.9 million on a Megabucks progressive slot machine – an amount which completely rocked his world, prompting an unprecedented change in his life.
On Saturday night, John Tippin, a Postal Service employee from Honolulu, put $9 into a slot machine at the Hilton hotel and hit the jackpot – breaking the previous world record for a single jackpot won October 18 at another Las Vegas Megabucks machine. His victory surpassed another Postal Service employee’s previous winning of $87,000 earlier that same evening.
Once Tippin realized he was a multi-millionaire, his immediate thought was to enjoy some luxurious vacation. Unfortunately, he soon learned the world of luxury can be dangerous and lead to alcohol abuse. Additionally, Tippin began receiving more unusual bets with higher payouts but greater risks than anticipated.
2. Amy Nishimura
On her annual vacation to Las Vegas, 71-year-old Amy Nishimura hit the jackpot! It occurred early Monday morning while she was playing her favorite slot machine at Fremont hotel; with just $100 invested she won $8.9 million dollars!
Amy’s jackpot win was due to her habit of ‘talking’ to her slot machine, which she began while visiting Las Vegas in the eighties. Unlike most people who play from start to finish on a slot machine, Amy often stops randomly to place bets.
After three hours, she finally hit the big one. Even though her prize wasn’t quite $100, she was proud of it nonetheless and used the cash for planning her next trip to Vegas, paying off her mortgage, and buying a new car – not to mention giving some of it away as philanthropy!
3. Edwin Johnson
Edwin Johnson is renowned for leading a team of engineers to construct the nation’s first high-speed interstate highway. This feat was no easy feat considering Colorado’s population of 10 million people, yet thanks to their work, motorists across the state can now travel at speeds up to 100 mph – an accomplishment worth celebrating today despite its costly price tag. Despite Johnson and his colleagues at the bureau of transportation’s efforts, these roads now allow drivers to traverse Colorado at speeds barely below 100 miles per hour! Despite being expensively constructed, they proved worth every minute spent creating them!
Johnson made a name for himself as an accomplished author and public speaker throughout his long career. It was during his journalism days that he wrote one of many controversial articles regarding Colorado’s relationship with the Soviet Union; additionally, Johnson is credited with being responsible for creating one of Colorado’s iconic landmarks, The Golden Eagle.
4. A Norwegian man
The unfortunate reality of jackpots is that there may be those out there who would take advantage of you. Therefore, it’s essential to be mindful when playing the lottery.
Additionally, it’s wise to be prepared for those who may be more interested in your newfound wealth than your friendship. This could include moochers – those individuals who prioritize getting their hands on your money over being with you in a relationship.
Norwegian men are renowned for their handsome appearances, often referred to as “Norwegian hunks.” This may be partly due to their love of nature and outdoor activities. Furthermore, they take great care in maintaining a tidy appearance and grooming themselves regularly.
Norwegian men are renowned for their physical fitness and activity level, as well as for their mental toughness. This trait, known as “Sisu,” plays an integral part of everyday life in Norway; it allows them to cope with even difficult challenges and keep going.
