Homeless man shocked to learn he won $1,000,000 lottery reveals what he’s going to buy first
Armando Vidal had been living without a home for almost 20 years. His life changed drastically after he was injured in 2008, which forced him to stop working. Originally from Santa Maria, California, he eventually made his way to San Luis Obispo, where he became a familiar face in the community. People around town got to know him, especially at Sandy’s Deli & Liquor, a local convenience store he visited often.
Despite the daily struggles of homelessness, Armando never lost hope. One day in April, he bought two scratch-off lottery tickets from the store, each costing \$5. He chose the California Lottery’s Triple Red 777 game, not knowing that this small purchase would completely turn his life around. After scratching off the tickets, he thought he had won \$200 and was understandably thrilled. That kind of money can go a long way when you’re living on the streets.
Armando returned to the store, ready to claim his prize. He showed the ticket to the store manager, Wilson Samaan, who had worked at the store for over a decade and had known Armando for years. Wilson scanned the ticket and confirmed that it wasn’t just \$200—it was far more. At first, Armando thought maybe he had hit \$100,000. He started high-fiving Wilson, overjoyed at the idea of finally catching a break.
Then Wilson asked him a question that stopped him in his tracks: “What are you going to do with a million dollars?” That’s when it hit him. Armando had actually won \$1 million. He was speechless, barely able to believe it. What started as a lucky moment turned into something life-changing. Wilson, just as excited, drove Armando all the way to the California Lottery office in Fresno to help him claim the prize. He later said that Armando deserved every penny and that he couldn’t have been happier for someone he knew and respected.
Armando was overwhelmed with gratitude and disbelief. After struggling for so long, he could now think about things many people take for granted: having a roof over his head, a bed to sleep in, and even getting a couple of dogs to keep him company. His first goal was simple but powerful—he just wanted a home. Beyond that, he planned to invest the money wisely so it could continue to support him and possibly create long-term stability.
He mentioned to a local store, Thrifty Beaches, while holding his winning ticket, that he couldn’t wait to get off the streets. His voice carried a mix of shock, relief, and hope for the future. Though the excitement of his win quickly spread online and in the news, Armando made it clear he wants to keep a lower profile from now on and focus on building a quiet, steady life.
Winning the top prize on the Triple Red 777 scratcher is incredibly rare, with odds of about one in two million. It’s the kind of luck that hardly ever happens, especially to someone who’s been struggling for so long. The store where he bought the ticket, Sandy’s Deli & Liquor, was also rewarded with a small bonus of around \$5,000 for selling the winning scratcher.
Armando’s story is more than just a lucky win—it’s a moment of real change for someone who had been down for so long. It’s a reminder that life can shift in an instant, even when things seem hopeless. He plans to use this chance not just to survive, but to finally live with dignity, comfort, and peace.
