Lucky man wins $13.3 million, says it couldn’t have happened to a happier guy

HOMER, Alaska (KTUU/Gray News) – The tiny coastal town of Homer, Alaska is known more for halibut than millionaires, but recently it got a new one.

Native Jules Ravin took home more than $13.3 million after winning the weekly Lotto Alaska jackpot last Sunday.

In the lotto’s eight-year history, it’s handed out multi-million dollar jackpots fewer than five times.

Ravin said he has lived in Homer for roughly 50 years and despite hitting it big, is adamant that he doesn’t want his life to change.

“You probably couldn’t have given that money to a happier guy,” Ravin said after accepting the big check at the lotto headquarters in Fairbanks. “I have a wife that loves me, I have a house with a view, I own my own business. If you guys would’ve denied me this, I would’ve went home and still been happy.”

The longtime Homer resident said he sat down with his wife and discussed what they would do with the money and how their lives would change if he accepted the money.

Stosh Solski with Lotto Alaska says that Ravin’s phone was probably blowing up after the announcement was made.

“One of the things that everybody wants is to win the lottery, but nobody knows what to do with it when they get it,” Solski said.

Anybody of age can buy a lottery ticket in the state of Alaska, and they don’t need to be an Alaska resident. Tickets can be purchased online.

“All the money stays here [in Alaska],” Solski explained. “[With] the money raised, we donate a bunch of it out to nonprofits. In the last six-seven years, we’ve been able to support nonprofits with over $7 million, so the nonprofits ... really like this program.”

On top of the $13.3 million “Chase the Ace” jackpot, Ravin won the weekly prize of roughly $337,000.