Brothers win Lotto on same day, only one becomes millionaire

Two lucky brothers both won Lotto on the same day, but only one became a millionaire.

Senior District Judge James Stocklas, 67, was over the moon to learn he and two friends had won a $291million jackpot on Friday, after he had just finished up a month-long fishing trip with his brother in Florida Keys.

Mr Stocklas and his friends brought $10 worth of tickets, his brother Bob also grabbed a ticket from the same store.

When Mr Stocklas returned home to Pennsylvania, he discovered he had won big.

James and Bob Stocklas. Photo: Florida Lottery
James and Bob Stocklas. Photo: Florida Lottery

“Occasionally I play the lottery back home and when I’m in Florida,” Mr Stocklas told Florida Lottery.

“I go to the same restaurant every day for breakfast and before I began drinking my coffee or reading the paper, I pulled up the news on my phone and saw a headline about a Florida Powerball winner”.

Mr Stocklas said he immediately checked his numbers and as luck would have it, he won.

Excited by the victory, he shouted everyone in the restaurant a free breakfast and called his friends to let them know the good news.

Mr Stocklas split the winnings with the friends he purchased the ticket with, a local pool business owner and a woman who chose to remain anonymous.

Each of them will receive over $40million USD after tax.

In an unusual turn of events Mr Stocklas’ brother Bob also had a much smaller win with his ticket, $7 USD.

Mr Stocklas said his first day as a millionaire was a ‘blur’ of champagne and signing papers.

He said he had no plans to give up his job as a senior district judge and planned to use the money to help his family.