To put things in perspective, the odds of being struck by lightning in a given year in the U.S. are about 1 in 1.2 million. Over a lifetime? Around 1 in 15,300. Just ask Roy Sullivan, the park ranger famously hit by lightning seven times - and lived to tell the tale.

But lightning isn’t the only thing that strikes more than once. Let’s dive into real-life lottery stories that prove it’s possible to win repeatedly - and what we can learn from these unexpected winners.

Lucky for Life - Times Two!

In 2014, Kenneth J. Stokes of Massachusetts received a Lucky for Life season pass from his family - a thoughtful gift worth $25,000 per year for 20 years if he won. But the day before one of the draws, he bought a second ticket… accidentally choosing the same numbers. Little did he know this innocent mistake would lead to an unexpected double win.

The next morning, the call came in - he’d won! Then it hit him: he had two winning tickets.

Choosing the lump sum option, Kenneth cashed out with $546,000 after tax - a perfect example of how a little forgetfulness can sometimes lead to double the fortune.

From Lightning Strikes to Lottery Strikes

Roy Sullivan may hold the lightning record, but one South Carolina man had his own unbelievable streak - this time with Mega Millions. In July 2021, he won $40,000. Just 11 days later, he bought another ticket… and won a staggering $3 million.

Even more remarkable? Both tickets came from the same gas station, which earned $30,000 in commissions. It just goes to show that when luck is on your side, it really shows up. These wins are a testament to the power of luck in the lottery, giving hope to all players.

A $2 Million Win – Twice!

A retired utility worker from Maryland had already hit the jackpot once with the “$2 Million Richer” scratch-off. But in 2021, lightning struck again.

This time, he bought two tickets. One was worth $100, but the second? Another $2 million win.

His first win funded retirement and family vacations. The second helped with home improvements and even more memory-making trips. Proof that good karma (and good numbers) can circle back around.

30 Wins in a Single Day!

Deborah Brown from Virginia had a strong feeling about the number 1-0-3-1 back in 2019. So, she didn’t just play it once - she bought 30 identical Pick 4 tickets, all with the same number.

Each ticket cost $1 and paid $5,000 when the number hit - totalling $150,000 in one go.

Deborah was stunned. “I nearly had a heart attack,” she said. While she wasn’t sure exactly how to spend the winnings, home upgrades were high on the list.

Twice the Winnings in North Carolina

Scotty Thomas of Fayetteville, NC, was watching basketball when he couldn’t recall if he’d bought his Lucky for Life ticket. Just to be safe, he went online and bought another - using the same numbers.

Result? He won the $25,000-a-year-for-life prize twice.

He chose the lump sum payout of $551,850 after taxes and planned to pay off debt, invest in his business, and buy a home. Not bad for a double-check!

Back-to-Back Millionaire in Florida

In early 2024, a woman in Delray Beach, Florida, made headlines after winning $1 million on a scratch-off. The kicker? She returned to the same store the next month and won another $1 million!

This anonymous winner became one of the rare few to hit the top prize twice — in less than 30 days. Florida Lottery officials confirmed the wins, calling it one of the most remarkable streaks they’ve ever seen.

Want to Be Next? Here’s Your Chance…

These amazing stories show that winning the lottery - even more than once - is possible. But you can’t win if you don’t play.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can people really win the lottery twice?

A: Yes! Many real winners have won multiple times. Sometimes, even with the same numbers.

Q: Is it legal to win more than once?

A: 100%. As long as your tickets are valid and purchased legally, you can win as many times as luck allows.

Q: What are the odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots?

A: About 1 in approximately 300 million - but as you’ve just read, people really do beat those odds.

Remember: Every win starts with a ticket. And the next incredible story we tell could be yours.

Defying the Odds: Real Lottery Winners Who Hit the Jackpot More Than Once