Evelyn Adams: two New Jersey jackpots within months, then a trailer park

Evelyn Adams had worked for ten years at a 7-Eleven in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey, and bought her tickets there. In the autumn of 1985 she won $3.9 million on the state's Pick-6 game. In February 1986 she claimed a second jackpot of $1.5 million.

No earlier two-time million-dollar lottery winner had been reported in the US. Lottery officials put the odds of a double win at about 1 in 15 trillion. The prizes, $5.4 million in all, were paid in yearly instalments over 20 years.

She travelled to South America, Hawaii and Disney World. Then the tax caught up with her. Only part of the tax had been withheld from her payments, and a bill for the rest followed. She sold her annuity to pay the tax and her debts.

She was also told that gambling losses could offset her winnings, and spent heavily in Atlantic City. She has said she lost more than she won. In 2012, as Evelyn Basehore, she told the New York Post she was broke, working two jobs and living in a trailer park. She still played the lottery now and then.

A sudden win is not a plan. If gambling is causing you problems, BeGambleAware.org offers free, confidential help.

Sources

• Los Angeles Times / UPI: two-time winner loves lottery game (Feb 1986) (latimes.com)
• CBS News: Evelyn Marie Adams (cbsnews.com)
• NBC News: when lottery riches lead to ruin (nbcnews.com)