Evanston, Ill. – Ricardo Davis, an avid coin collector, knows how to count pennies. Thanks to a lucky Lotto ticket, the grocery clerk now prepares to start counting dollars, and millions of them.

Every week, Ricardo plays three Illinois Lottery games: Lotto, Little Lotto and Mega Millions. When the 46-year-old recently checked his Lotto numbers, he received some unbelievably good news.

“I scanned the ticket at one of the kiosks and found out I had won $3 million,” Ricardo recalls. “I was really excited and asked my boss if I could leave early so that I could share the news with my wife.”

The timing of the win made it all the more special. Ricardo, who has three children, ran his ticket through the kiosk on Father’s Day, one day before his birthday. Despite the high emotion surrounding his incredibly good fortune, Ricardo has kept a moderate attitude.

“I haven’t done anything with the money,” he explained. “I don’t want to spend money
that I don’t have.”

Even prior to winning the $3 million Lotto jackpot, Ricardo’s wildest dreams of Lottery riches involved saving for retirement, only splurging on a luxury automobile, something that the new millionaire might do as he looks to replace his current automobile.

Asked for his advice to other Lottery players, Ricardo offers some thrifty pointers. “Keep playing. Spend a little here and there and it will pay off. Play consistently.” Taking his own advice, Ricardo says that he has already purchased his next Lottery ticket.

7-Eleven, located at 2200 Waukegan Rd in Glenview, Ill., will receive a 1 percent bonus, or $30,000 for selling the winning ticket.