A Brooklyn resident, Wayne Murray, has struck lottery luck twice in just over a year. Murray recently won $10 million playing the New York Lottery’s 200X scratch-off game. This comes after his first $10 million win last year with the Black Titanium game. Both games required a $30 investment. Despite the extraordinary odds of winning such prizes (1 in 3.64 million for the 200X scratch-off and 1 in 3.53 million for Black Titanium), Murray managed to defy them twice.
Murray, known for his discretion and humility, didn’t want to make a fuss about his wins. When approached about hitting the jackpot twice, he preferred to keep a low profile. Hassan Nabil, a clerk at the H&A Gas & Convenience store where Murray bought both winning tickets, described him as a regular customer who hasn’t let his fortune change him. Nabil highlighted Murray’s friendly and generous nature, noting that he could have moved away after his first win but chose to stay in the neighborhood.
For both wins, Murray opted for a single lump-sum payment, receiving just over $6 million after taxes each time. Despite becoming a millionaire twice over, Murray continues to lead a modest life in his East Flatbush neighborhood, residing in the same three-story, semi-attached brick home where he has spent most of his life. His unassuming lifestyle and acts of kindness have endeared him to neighbors, with one describing him as a “beautiful person” who is humble and not flashy.
Murray’s incredible luck has defied statistical expectations, with lottery officials unable to provide the odds of winning both games consecutively. The New York Lottery reported significant sales from scratch-off games during fiscal year 2022-2023, contributing billions to the total. Murray’s repeated wins remain a rare and fortunate occurrence, showcasing the unpredictability of lottery outcomes.