$1M Surprise: NJ Man Wins Big from a “Losing” Lottery Ticket

A regular day turned unforgettable for one New Jersey player—and it all started with a “losing” ticket.

? Big Win from a Second Chance

Louis Massa from Essex County scored a $1 million jackpot during the Million Dollar Replay drawing, held at the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. The twist? His win came from a non-winning scratch-off ticket he entered for a second chance.

“I feel lucky and blessed—it really does happen. Submit your tickets!” Massa shared as the crowd cheered.

? A Lucky Sign?

Massa says the day already felt special:

• A white balloon hit his car while dropping off his daughter
• He took it as a sign something good was coming
• Turns out… he was right

“I’m thankful to God. This is a blessing for my family,” he added.

? How the Replay Works

• Players submit losing scratch-off tickets online
• Every quarter, 100 people win $250 and move forward
• Finalists head to Atlantic City for a shot at the grand prize
• This marks the 15th year of the event

? More Winners Took Home Big Cash

The event handed out over $1.5 million in prizes. Other lucky winners scored:

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

? Takeaway

Sometimes, a “losing” ticket isn’t the end—it’s just the beginning.