- Paul Corcoran from Massachusetts won $2 million after unknowingly buying two identical Powerball tickets for the same July 9 drawing.
- Each ticket matched all five white balls, earning him $1 million per ticket before taxes in one of the luckiest lottery mistakes ever.
- He hasnโt decided how to spend the money yet, while Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots continue to grow nationwide.
A man from Massachusetts got the surprise of his life when he won not once, but twice in the same Powerball drawing. Paul Corcoran, a resident of Fitchburg, walked away with $2 million โ before taxes โ after two of his tickets hit it big in the July 9 drawing.
But it wasnโt part of some clever strategy. It was all a happy accident.
A Lucky Mistake Turns into a Million-Dollar Payday
Corcoran had originally purchased a Powerball ticket good for seven consecutive drawings. But somewhere along the way, he thought that ticket had expired. Figuring he needed a new one, he bought another multi-draw ticket โ and unknowingly included the same July 9 drawing again.
That tiny mix-up would change his life.
Both tickets matched the five white balls drawn that night. That means he didnโt hit the Powerball itself โ which wouldโve brought the jackpot โ but he did land the next-best thing: $1 million per ticket. Two tickets. Two million bucks. One unforgettable week.
And the kicker? He didnโt even realize it right away. Once the numbers were confirmed, he claimed the prize just days later, still stunned by what had happened.
What Will He Do With the Money?
As of now, Corcoran hasnโt made any big decisions about how heโll spend the windfall. No exotic vacations or sports cars โ yet. In interviews with lottery officials, he admitted heโs still wrapping his head around it all.
Winning once is rare enough. Winning twice in one drawing? Thatโs the kind of story that people tell for years.
Friends and neighbors in Fitchburg have been buzzing about Corcoranโs unexpected double dip. Some called it a dream come true. Others jokingly asked him for help picking their own numbers next time. But most agreed on one thing: he deserved a little luck.
A Night of Big Winners Across the Country
Corcoran wasnโt the only one celebrating on July 9. Across the U.S., seven other people matched all five white balls to snag $1 million โMatch 5โ prizes. Those winning tickets were sold in California, Florida, Illinois, and Nebraska.
One especially lucky winner in Texas walked away with $2 million thanks to using the Power Play option, which multiplies non-jackpot prizes.
Still, nobody claimed the jackpot that night โ which meant it kept growing.
As of now, the Powerball jackpot has ballooned to an estimated $288 million for the next drawing. Thatโs the annuitized payout. The cash value, if taken as a lump sum, sits at a cool $130.6 million. Not bad for a $2 ticket.
The last time someone hit the jackpot was back in late May, when a player in California scooped up $204.5 million. Since then, the prize has been climbing steadily with every draw.
Mega Millions Still in the Race
While Powerball continues to grab headlines, Mega Millions is quietly heating up too. At last count, its jackpot had reached an estimated $100 million ahead of the Friday night drawing.
Lottery fever is clearly back in full swing this summer, as millions of hopefuls line up at gas stations, grocery stores, and corner markets for their shot at a life-changing win.
A Nation Fascinated by Fortune
Across the country, reactions to Corcoranโs double win have ranged from astonishment to envy. Social media lit up with users joking about checking their old tickets, double-checking dates, and even wondering aloud if theyโve ever mistakenly tossed a winner.
โImagine thinking your ticket expired and then buying another, only to win with both,โ one X (formerly Twitter) user posted. โThatโs next-level luck.โ
Others took it as a sign that anything is possible โ even in a year filled with uncertainty, rising costs, and everyday challenges. For many, stories like Corcoranโs offer a little spark of hope.
โThings like this remind us that good things can still happen out of the blue,โ one Facebook commenter wrote.
Not everyone is thrilled, though. Some longtime lottery players vented about never winning despite years of playing. A few cynics even speculated about whether people really could be that lucky. But for the most part, the response has been positive โ and more than a little wide-eyed.
A Reminder to Always Check Your Tickets
Corcoranโs incredible stroke of luck serves as a reminder to all lottery players: check your tickets. Even if you think theyโve expired or been used, itโs worth taking a second look. You never know when a forgotten slip of paper might be holding a fortune.
With jackpots climbing again, the buzz is building. Whether itโs Powerball or Mega Millions, people everywhere are daring to dream.
As for Paul Corcoran, heโs living proof that luck doesnโt always come with fireworks or fanfare. Sometimes, it shows up quietly โ and twice in one night.