A man has won the Powerball lottery using numbers he obtained from a Zoltar fortune-teller machine three decades ago. The machine, famously featured in the 1988 film 'Big' starring Tom Hanks, gave him the winning combination that finally paid off after years of playing the same numbers.
The Lucky Numbers
The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, shared his story with lottery officials. He recalled visiting a carnival in 1996 where he encountered the Zoltar machine. For a small fee, the machine dispensed a card with five numbers and a Powerball number. He decided to stick with those numbers ever since.
A Long Wait
For 30 years, he played the same numbers weekly. Finally, on May 13, 2026, his persistence paid off. He matched all five white balls and the red Powerball to claim the jackpot, which was estimated at $200 million.
Inspired by 'Big'
The Zoltar machine in the movie 'Big' granted wishes, but in real life, it only dispensed fortunes. The winner said he was inspired by the film and believed the numbers were special. 'I always thought if I stuck with them, they would come through someday,' he said.
Reaction and Plans
Upon winning, he said he felt 'shock and disbelief.' He plans to use the winnings to pay off debts, help his family, and donate to charity. He also intends to keep working, at least for now.
Lottery Officials Confirm
Lottery officials confirmed the win and noted that such long-term persistence is rare. They advised players to always keep their tickets safe and sign them immediately.
The Zoltar machine that gave the winning numbers is now a piece of lottery history, with the winner hoping to track it down someday.
