A homeless man in San Luis Obispo has gone viral after winning $1 million from a California Lottery scratch ticket, a lucky break he now calls his second chance at life.
From a few dollars to $1 million lottery
On the evening of April 6, Armando Vidal walked into Sandy’s Liquor in San Luis Obispo with just $25 in his pocket. He picked out two Triple Red 777 scratch tickets for $10 each and a few cheaper ones.
It was a risky move, considering that the California Lottery lists the odds of winning the top $1 million prize as roughly 1 in 2.047 million. Even winning a small prize has odds of about 1 in 2.92. But for Vidal, that bold decision was about to change his life.
Wilson Samaan, the store manager at Sandy’s Liquor, remembers the moment clearly. Vidal scratched one of the tickets right there and won $200. The cashier immediately handed him the cash.
Vidal didn’t scratch the second Triple Red 777 until the next morning when he returned to the store. Samaan was behind the counter again.
Vidal looked up and said, “Oh my God, come take a look at this. Is that true?”
Samaan grabbed the ticket and scanned it. What the machine showed shocked them both.
Samaan recounted the moment with excitement. “Bro, you hit the jackpot,” he said as they high-fived in disbelief.
At first, Vidal thought he had won $100,000, a huge amount on its own. But then Samaan pointed out one more zero on the printout.
That meant Vidal had actually won $1 million. It was real. His entire world had shifted in one morning.
Sandy’s Liquor proudly celebrated their customer’s win with a post on Instagram on April 11, writing: “Big congrats to our loyal customer on his $1 million jackpot winning scratch ticket at Sandy’s.”
Vidal is no stranger in San Luis Obispo. Though he has been homeless for years, he’s a well-known and respected figure in the neighborhood.
Wilson Samaan shared that the two had built a friendship over time. Samaan even once offered Vidal a job at the store. But due to a chronic knee condition, Vidal had to turn it down.
Despite not being able to work, Samaan trusted Vidal to watch the store on many occasions while he handled other responsibilities.
“He’s a good, trustful person,” Samaan told the LA Times, describing his longtime customer with warmth and respect.
After realizing how big the prize was, Vidal thought about mailing the ticket to the California Lottery office.
Samaan didn’t want to risk that. He offered to drive Vidal to the lottery office in Fresno himself, making sure the winning ticket made it there securely.
“I was so excited – even more than him,” Samaan said, adding, “He’s a good person, he deserves every penny… I was very excited it happened to a person who deserved it, and he actually needed it.”
Another local store owner, Adam Kemp of Thrifty Beaches in downtown San Luis Obispo, also shared the joyful news on social media.
Kemp posted a video of Vidal holding the winning ticket and shared how he and his wife had been living on the streets for a long time.
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He captioned the video: “Too good not to post. This is crazy. This man and his wife have been on the street for a long time. They have been nice to me & Maria. I’m so happy for the both of them! You never know when it’s your day to win big in life!”
In the video, Kemp says, “My friend here just won $1 million in the lottery in SLO.”
Vidal smiles and replies, “I won $1 million here in SLO at Sandy’s Liquor store. I just can’t wait to get off the streets.”
Now that he’s a millionaire, Vidal has clear goals for how to use his winnings. He told Samaan he plans to buy a small home and a car, something he and his wife have dreamed about for a long time.
But he’s not stopping there. Vidal also hopes to invest the rest of the money or use it to start a business.
“He said he’s not going to waste the second chance he got gifted,” Samaan said.
This isn’t just about money for Vidal. It’s about security, dignity, and hope for something better.
California’s housing crisis has left thousands struggling to find a place to call home. Vidal’s story is a reminder that even in the toughest situations, life can take an unexpected turn for the better.
For one man in San Luis Obispo, the path from survival to stability now feels possible. His story offers more than luck. It offers hope to anyone fighting hard days without giving up.
As the community cheers him on, Vidal stands as proof that one good day can change everything.
If you feel inspired by this story, consider sharing it. You never know who might need to be reminded that it’s never too late for a new beginning.
