Louisiana Man Calls Wife to Double-Check $775,000 Lottery Win

Joseph Wheat kicked off the new year with a moment he’ll never forget — a $775,000 lottery win that left him so stunned, he needed his wife to confirm it was real.

The Bogalusa, Louisiana resident was watching the January 3 drawing, something he rarely skips, when the numbers on his ticket matched the winning combination. At first, he thought his eyes were playing tricks on him.

“I had to call my wife home from work,” Wheat said. “I needed her to double-check the ticket so I knew I wasn’t imagining it.”

Once the shock wore off, the excitement set in. After taxes, Wheat took home $565,750, and he already has a clear plan for the money.

What’s next for the big win?

• Paying off outstanding debt

• Saving money for his kids and grandkids

• Starting the year with real financial peace of mind

The Louisiana Lottery praised Wheat, calling him a longtime player and sharing how wins like this make the job rewarding. Officials said they were thrilled for Wheat and his family as they celebrate such a strong start to the year.

Wheat bought the winning ticket at a local convenience store, where the owner said the win was the biggest the shop has ever seen. While the store has sold winning tickets before, nothing came close to this life-changing prize.