Two identical lottery tickets are accidentally purchased by a man, and he wins two jackpots

One North Carolina man purchased two identical tickets to the same lottery drawing and won two prizes of $25,000 each year for his life.

Scotty Thomas, 49 of Fayetteville, told North Carolina Education Lottery officials that he was thinking about Saturday’s Lucky for Life drawing, but couldn’t recall if he had purchased a ticket.

Thomas stated,

“I was just lying down watching a basketball match on TV and couldn’t recall if it was filled out or not. I filled it out again and my son inquired why the two amounts were different. I realized that I had filled it twice.”

Thomas bought his two $2 tickets online and won a $25,000 per year prize for each ticket.

Thomas stated,

“When I realized that I won, I had no choice but to lay down on the ground because it was unbelievable. It’s a blessing.”

Thomas decided to receive both his prizes as lump-sum payments, a total of $780,000.

The winner stated that he will use the money to help his family, invest in his business and pay his bills.