By Tim Hadac
Managing Editor
Southwest Chicago Post
Every week across the U.S., someone somewhere hits a lottery prize of significance.
But it’s not every week when a prize winner claims that his winnings are the result of his ability to beat the system.
And it’s almost never when a winner offers to share that “beat the system” formula.
But then there’s Tom McGill.
The Garfield Ridge resident has been playing lottery games since the 1980s.
McGill (aka Tommy Lotto) is one of three men who, as a team, recently won $1.4 million on an Illinois Lottery Lucky Day Lotto ticket.
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| "Tommy Lotto" McGill (center) and his winning crew. |
He was given the nickname “Tommy Lotto” when he hit his first lottery jackpot of $1.2 million, by Garfield Ridge Rapper "Special K" aka Johnny Karalow (RIP).
McGill bought the jackpot-winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket for the Monday, Nov. 4 midday drawing at the Mobil gas station at 5448 W. 55th Street.
“After realizing the big win, I went back to the Mobil where I purchased the ticket and shared the exciting news with the clerk, Teresa. I’ve lived in the area for a long time, so we know each other at this point,” McGill said. “I swear the color drained from her face when I told her the news because she was so shocked. Then she burst out laughing and was so happy for me!”
The winning numbers were 13-15-22-29-40.
“We have a group of friends, and we occasionally pool our money and go in on a lottery ticket when the jackpots are big,” McGill added.
The other two men, not identified by name by Illinois Lottery officials, said in a statement, “When Tommy called and said we won, we thought he was kidding. Then he read off the numbers. Our families and neighbors are thrilled for us!”
McGill said, “Now, I can help pay for more of my daughter’s upcoming wedding.”
For selling the winning ticket, the Mobil station will receive a 1% bonus of the prize amount, or $14,000. This isn’t the first time the retailer has sold a big winning lottery ticket. Earlier this year, a $450,000 winning Lucky Day Lotto ticket was purchased at the same Mobil.
McGill said his recent win marks the third time over the years that he has hit a lottery jackpot.
He is a student of Smart Luck Inc., a company founded by Gail Howard, a famous number-cruncher who claimed to be able to use mathematical probability analyses to increase a person’s chances of winning games of chance. Howard founded Smart Luck in 1982 and ran it until her death at age 80 in 2015.
McGill said he plans to reveal the secrets of some of his numbers-based strategies at an exclusive seminar in the near future. Those interested may follow his Tommy Lotto Facebook page and website for details.
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