$1M Surprise: New Jersey Player Wins Big from “Losing” Lottery Tickets

A regular scratch-off turned into a life-changing moment for one lucky New Jersey player—and it all started with a second chance.

Louis Massa of Essex County walked away with a massive $1 million prize during the Million Dollar Replay drawing, held at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. Not bad for tickets that didn’t win the first time around.

? Here’s what made this event exciting:

• Over $1.5 million in total prizes were handed out
• 14 more players scored wins between $10,000 and $100,000
• All entries came from non-winning scratch-off tickets

“I feel incredibly lucky… it really does happen,” Massa shared after the win, encouraging others to submit their tickets.

? A lucky sign?

Massa believes his big day may have had a hint of fate. Earlier that morning, a white balloon hit his car while dropping off his daughter—something he took as a sign that good news was coming. Turns out, he was right.

?? How the Replay works:

• Players can submit losing scratch-off tickets online year-round
• Every quarter, 100 players win $250 and move forward
• Finalists are invited to Atlantic City for the grand prize drawing

This marks the 15th year the Million Dollar Replay has brought hopeful players together for a shot at a huge payout.

? Other notable winners:

• $100,000 prizes: Frank Cianci (Gloucester), Edward Ruhnke (Ocean)
• $50,000 prizes: Adelina Ferrandino (Middlesex), Christine Flynn (Somerset), Gary Philipsheck (Middlesex)
• $25,000 prizes: Jeffrey Robbins (Monmouth), Judith Adam (Ocean), Magda Cifuentes (Bergen), Hugh Moriarty (Essex)
• $10,000 prizes: Cathy Pisciotta, Daniel Suarez, James Kennon, Juliana Correia, Louis Lokuta

? Bottom line: Even “losing” tickets can turn into big wins—you just have to take that extra step and enter them.