Man Asked Wife to Come Home After He Saw Winning Lottery Prize to ‘Make Sure I Was Really Seeing I Thought’

A Louisiana man rang in the new year with a shock he could hardly believe — so much so that he asked his wife to leave work and come home to confirm it.

Joseph Wheat of Bogalusa, La., won a $775,000 lottery prize during the first weekend of 2026, according to the Louisiana Lottery. A longtime player, Wheat was watching the drawing on Saturday, Jan. 3 — a routine he “rarely misses” — when he realized his numbers matched the jackpot.

At first, he didn’t trust what he was seeing.

The winning numbers — 01-14-18-20-27-41 — seemed too good to be true, so Wheat called his wife and asked her to come home to double-check the ticket, New Orleans outlet FOX 8 reported.

“I had to call my wife and ask her to come home,” Wheat told FOX 8. “When I saw the numbers, I made her come check the ticket to make sure I was really seeing what I thought I was seeing.”

After the initial disbelief wore off, Wheat described the moment as thrilling. Following taxes, his winnings totaled $565,750, according to the Louisiana Lottery.

He plans to use part of the money to pay down debt and save the rest for his children and grandchildren.

Louisiana Lottery President Rose Hudson praised the win, noting that stories like Wheat’s are especially meaningful when they involve longtime players. She added that the organization is excited for Wheat and his family and wished them well as they enjoy the prize, per FOX 8.

In its announcement, the lottery called the win “a wonderful way to start the new year” and congratulated Wheat on the milestone moment.

Wheat purchased his winning Pick 3 ticket at Pine Cash, a gas station and convenience store located at 26505 Highway 62 in Franklinton, La. He later claimed the prize at Louisiana Lottery headquarters in Baton Rouge.

Pine Cash owner Robbie Michel said he was happy a local resident claimed the prize, according to The Era-Leader. While the store has seen notable scratch-off wins in the past, nothing has compared to Wheat’s jackpot.

“It’s a very random drawing,” Michel said, adding that the store is proud and excited for the winner.