HOMER, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) – The small coastal town of Homer, Alaska is more known for its halibut than its millionaires, but it recently got a new resident.
Alaska native Jules Ravin took home more than $13.3 million last Sunday after winning the weekly Lotto Alaska jackpot.
In the lottery’s eight-year history, jackpots worth millions have been awarded less than five times.
Ravin said he has lived in Homer for about 50 years and, despite his great success, he is adamant that his life does not want to change.
“You probably couldn’t have given that money to a happier person,” Ravin said after accepting the large check at lottery headquarters in Fairbanks. “I have a wife who loves me, I have a house with a view, I own my own business. If you had denied me that, I would have gone home and still been happy.”
The longtime Homer resident said he sat down with his wife and discussed what they would do with the money and how their lives would change if he accepted the money.
Stosh Solski of Lotto Alaska says Ravin’s phone probably exploded after the announcement.
“Everyone wants to win the lottery, but no one knows what to do with it once they win,” Solski said.
In the state of Alaska, anyone of legal age can purchase a lottery ticket. You do not have to live in Alaska to do so. Tickets can be purchased online.
“All of the money stays here (in Alaska),” Solski explained. “A lot of the money we raise goes to nonprofits. Over the last six to seven years, we’ve been able to give over $7 million to nonprofits, so the nonprofits really like this program.”
In addition to the Chase the Ace jackpot of $13.3 million, Ravin won the weekly prize of approximately $337,000.
Copyright 2024 KTUU via Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. CNN Newsource contributed to this report.
