'King of scratchers' wins $5 million California Lottery prize sticking to superstition

A California man who won a $5 million lottery prize by following a superstition while playing a scratch-off game has proclaimed himself the "King of Scratchers."

Daniel Peramaki won $5 million from the California Lottery due to his determination and unconventional methods, a statement from the California Lottery said. Peramaki purchased the winning ticket at Star Liquor on South State College Boulevard in Anaheim and the store will receive a $25,000 bonus from the Lottery.

Peramaki said he had been trying to win the lottery for years, so he set strict guidelines. He said he was overjoyed when he finally won the jackpot of $5 million with a winning $20 ticket in the "Neon Cash Party" game.

"I thought, 'No way!'" Peramaki told the California Lottery. "I honestly thought I scratched it wrong. I was in shock for probably the whole day. I didn't sleep that night."

Peramaki says his strategy is to purchase the seventh, eighth, and ninth tickets from a newly opened pack of $20 scratch-off tickets. He claimed he had previously won many good prizes using this method, but this was the largest he had ever won.

"I'm the king of the $20 scratchers," he told the Lottery. "I win a lot, but it's never been anything this big."

He won $5 million with the seventh ticket he scratched. He initially thought the ticket was a loser because he reached the last number without realizing he had won.

"I'm very superstitious," Peramaki told the Lottery. "If I scratch them right away, it's a loser. I usually buy them, put them in my pocket, and wait. I didn't scratch this one until midnight."

He recently visited the Lottery headquarters in Sacramento and claimed his prize of $2.9 million as a lump sum. As he collected his prize, he mentioned that it was a life-changing amount of money.

"I showed someone at work the $5,000,000, and they said, 'Oh congrats, five thousand,' and I said, 'That's a comma, not a decimal," Peramaki recalled to the Lottery.

More winners:Virginia woman wins $150,000 after helping someone pay for their items at a 7-Eleven

What is Neon Cash Party?

Neon Cash Party is a California scratch-off game where players can win a top prize of $5,000,000. 

Of the seven top prizes of $5 million in the $20 "Neon Cash Party" game, only four are left unclaimed. Additionally, seven second-tier prizes of $100,000 and 76 third-tier prizes of $10,000 are left to be claimed.

What are the odds of winning the Neon Cash Party?

The overall chance of winning any prize is 1 in 3.04, and the chance of winning the top prize is 1 in 2,431,131.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?  

Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.  

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.