Overview
- State rules required Vidal to claim prizes over $600,000 in person, prompting him to travel to the California Lottery office in Fresno to validate and collect his $1 million award.
- He purchased two Triple Red 777 scratch-off tickets at Sandy’s Deli & Liquor in San Luis Obispo, with one revealing the jackpot in April.
- Retail manager Wilson Samaan escorted Vidal from the store to the lottery office, guiding him through the claim process and offering support.
- A video shared by Thrifty Beaches on Instagram in April brought Vidal’s win to national attention, but he has since maintained a low public profile.
- Vidal became homeless in 2008 after a debilitating injury cost him his job and home, living without shelter until his recent windfall.