CHICAGO, Ill. (Chambana Today) — A spur-of-the-moment iLottery purchase turned into a life-changing surprise for a Chicago mechanic who won a $487,929 FastPlay jackpot on the Illinois Lottery’s $10 Luxury Loot game.

Peter, the winner, said he bought the ticket online while waiting for a friend—and admitted he was drawn in by the game’s mascot. “I just love dogs! This game has an adorable little bulldog,” he said. “I noticed the jackpot was growing, and I just knew I had to play.”

Moments later, he discovered he’d won the growing FastPlay prize. “I was waiting for a friend after buying them a gift and some groceries,” he said. “I was stunned when I saw I had won. My friend was just a block away. I dropped the groceries right then and started running towards them screaming in excitement!”

Peter said the unexpected windfall gives him a chance to help others. “I feel blessed to have won this money. It breaks a generational curse. I can change many people’s lives,” he shared. With the holidays approaching, he plans to spread kindness through small, meaningful gestures—like paying for someone’s meal or helping neighbors in need.