'Absolutely wackadoodle': Mom wins $1.4 million after using kids' birthdates as lottery numbers

An Illinois mom was already up caring for her infant in the middle of the night when she realized she had won $1.4 million in the lottery.

The woman, who was identified by the Illinois Lottery only as "Lucky Mom," told lottery officials her baby woke up crying, and after tucking them into bed she had trouble falling back asleep herself.

"So to pass the time, I opened the lottery app on my phone, and I couldn’t believe it when it showed that I had just won $1.4 million!" Lucky Mom told the Illinois Lottery. "Absolutely wackadoodle."

She had matched all five numbers in the Wednesday, March 6 evening drawing for the Lucky Day Lotto and won the $1.4 million prize.

Whenever she plays the lottery, Lucky Mom said she always uses her kids' birthdays as her lucky numbers.

And for that drawing, it proved to be a good strategy: The winning numbers were 6, 8, 16, 17 and 20.

According to the Illinois Lottery, nearly 550,000 winning Lucky Day Lotto tickets have been sold in March, with total prizes amounting to more than $3 million. The Lucky Day Lotto is an Illinois-only game with twice-daily drawings, at 12:40 p.m. and 9:22 p.m. CT.

“I’ve played Lucky Day Lotto here and there, and when I do, I use my kids’ birthdays as my lucky numbers,” Lucky Mom told the Illinois Lottery. “I have the best job in the world: I’m a stay at home mom, and I already feel very lucky and blessed for where I’m at in life – but today, the word ‘lucky’ took on a whole new meaning.”

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

In order to purchase a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, 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); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.