Whether they play slots, or they mark off their lucky numbers on lotto tickets, countless players around the world dream of landing a luscious, life-changing jackpot. For some players, that dream came true – but was even more surprising for their friends and family was the ways in which they spent their millions.
Experts suggest that, if you win the lottery, you should keep the news to yourself, and then speak to financial consultants as soon as possible. They can help you make the best plan for your money. Of course, not everyone follows such sound advice.
Got It? Flaunt It
Back in 1961, Vivian Nicholson won £152 300 (approximately £4 million today) with a lucky football bet. Perhaps UK gaming and betting companies were not as conscientious about offering advice to winners in those days, but if they were, Vivian was not listening.
She blew her entire fortune on a shopping spree at Harrods, luxury cars, and lavish holidays abroad.
Twice A Winner
US citizen Evelyn Adams’ dream came true when she won a lottery jackpot in 1985. Lo and behold, Adams won another jackpot the following year. Together, her wins came to a total of $5.4 million.
Clearly, Adams believed she was on a lucky streak; so lucky, that she decided to aim for another massive win. She travelled to Atlantic City, gambled her winnings away, and ended up living in a trailer park.
Spoiling The Family
21-year-old UK-based Sarah Cockings won a £3,045,705 jackpot in April 2005. A generous, caring person, Cockings decided to spend some of her winnings on spoiling her family with gifts.
She bought a 4-bedroom house for her parents. Her sisters, however, each received breast augmentation surgery.
Eyes On The Small Screen
In 2008, Jonathan Vargas of South Carolina, USA, won a $35.3 million Powerball lottery jackpot. He spent some of his winnings on a new house for his mother, and then he invested a sizeable chunk of his fortune in a TV show.
Together with Jimmy Hart and Johnny Cafarella, he established a production company called Wrestlicious. The company was responsible for a show called Wrestlicious Takedown. Unfortunately, the 20-year-old former construction worker found out the hard way that comedy sketches and women in skimpy clothing are not enough to guarantee the success of a TV show. Wrestlicious Takedown was cancelled after the first season.
Making A Splash
In 2011, US-based John Kutey won $28.7 million when he played the Mega Millions lottery. Kutey and his wife Linda decided to spend part of the money on something that would honour their parents.
For them, the best thing was to contribute toward a space in which families, friends, and children could relax and have fun. They donated $200,000 toward the construction of the Spray Park water park in Green Island, New York. Sounds like a great way to spend the jackpot one might win when playing the best pokies online games around.
Interesting Insights
In 2012, UK-based lottery operator Camelot did a survey of more than 3000 players who won more than £1 million. The vast majority of winners had invested in property. Many of those winners also put a significant portion of their winnings into financial investments.