Peru, IL – Robert Picatto just found out that nothing can lift your spirits like playing the Illinois Lottery. The 46-year-old father of twins wasn’t in the best of moods recently after receiving a $200 cell phone bill, courtesy of his chatty twin daughters. Before going to pay the bill, Robert stopped at a local deli where he has played Illinois Lottery games for years, hoping that one of his favorite instant games might help him win a little cash. With the purchase of a Double My Millions ticket, the new millionaire was able to settle the phone bill, with a cool $999,800 to spare.

“I had to show my wife and the kids the ticket before they believed me,” Robert said. “I’ve played the Lottery every day for 10 years, and even though my wife and I have both won
big in the past, this is unreal. I had a hard time believing it myself at first.”

During the last decade, the dedicated Lottery player and his wife, Mary, have each won $1,000-prizes from instant tickets. Now that Robert hit the pinnacle of instant-ticket success, he has started to consider a switch to Little Lotto as his game of choice. Either way, he plans to continue playing the Lottery every day.

Despite his $1 million win, the warehouse worker will remain at his job. But the family
is looking forward to several other major changes in the months ahead.

“We’re not exactly sure what to do with the money,” Robert said. “We’ve discussed buying a new house, or maybe four new cars for my wife, our twin girls and me.” Additionally, Robert plans to donate some of the proceeds to charity, and while the new millionaire doesn’t have any hobbies, he might begin jet-skiing.

“The entire family is really happy with our new fortune,” Robert said. “To celebrate, I bought both my daughters new cell phones. Now we just have to watch out for the bills.” Ankiewicz Deli Dairy, located at 1920 4th Street in Peru, Ill., will receive a bonus of 1 percent of the top prize, or $10,000, for selling the winning ticket.