A last-minute decision to buy a California Millionaire Scratchers ticket paid off handsomely for Menlo Park resident Francisco Lopez.

Mr. Lopez was at the Pic N Pay Food and Liquor store in Glen Ellen. He made a decision at the cash register to add a $5 Scratchers ticket to his purchase. As he explained to California Lottery officials he knew instantly that he made the right decision. With a touch of wonder in his voice Lopez said, “I knew immediately. It felt great.”
 
Lopez, a supervisor for a janitorial service, played California Millionaire, a popular Scratchers game designed to award 15 instant million-dollar prizes and five second-chance draws for $1 million prizes. Lopez is the fifth player to claim one of the 20 million-dollar prizes the game offers. He is the seventh California Lottery player this in 2008 to land a prize of at least $1 million.
 
Lopez said he plans to pay off his family’s bills and maybe consider buying his own business.