Southern Ocean Man's Losing Lotto Ticket Becomes $1 Million Prize

ASBURY PARK, NJ — James Wood's losing lottery ticket turned into a golden ticket. The Little Egg Harbor man was among many who qualified for the New Jersey Lottery's Million Dollar Replay Grand Prize Drawing.

Every contestant started like him, with a losing lottery ticket. But only Wood went home with $1 million as the event's grand-prize winner at Asbury Park Convention Hall.

Throughout last year, New Jersey Lottery players submitted losing tickets online for a second chance at big prizes. Each quarter, 100 names were drawn for a $250 prize and entered into the Grand Drawing.

New Jersey Lottery gave out 15 cash prizes Friday, starting from $10,000 and working their way up.

Then host Lauren Berman announced the $1 million winner: "From Ocean County, from Little Egg Harbor, James Wood."

Wood jumped with glee from his seat, accompanied by his brother-in-law. He was still in shock. Before the event, Wood joked with his family that he had to be the next winner.

His family hoped to take a vacation in Hawaii this summer. The prize money made that much easier.

See the winners below:

• $1,000,000: James Wood, Little Egg Harbor
• $100,000: Deborah Torres, Middletown
• $100,000: Bryant Kidd, Mullica Hill
• $50,000: Korinne Forsman, Pilesgrove
• $50,000: Robert Marzano, Ortley Beach
• $50,000: Michael Zardzed, Wayne
• $25,000: Donna Mauro, Sicklerville
• $25,000: Joseph Sysko Jr., Parsippany
• $25,000: Deborah Roon, Clifton
• $25,000: Robert Harris, Jackson
• $10,000: George Horvath, Hackettstown
• $10,000: Thomas Dalton, Bordentown
• $10,000: Brian Nagle, Middletown
• $10,000: Valeria Hassall, Whiting
• $10,000: Kindzi Johansmeyer, Oakland

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