Ever had that gut feeling that you just shouldn't go into work? Usually, it’s just laziness or a desire to sleep in. For David Badejo Jr., it was a $10 million intuition.
In July 2025, the Attleboro resident did something most blue-collar workers find physically painful to do. He turned down overtime. As a forklift trainer, those extra hours are the bread and butter of a steady paycheck. But on that particular Monday morning, David decided he’d had enough of the grind for one day. He skipped the OT, headed to a local shop, and changed his life's trajectory forever.
It's the kind of story that makes you want to call out of work tomorrow. Honestly, the details of how Massachusetts lottery winner David Badejo struck gold are a perfect cocktail of luck, timing, and a very specific SUV.
The $10,000,000 Bonanza at Dairy Carousel
The winning ticket wasn't some complex multi-state drawing with powerballs and megaplpliers. It was a $20 scratcher. Specifically, David bought a ticket from the "$10,000,000 Bonanza" instant game.
He didn't go to a fancy corporate gas station or a massive supermarket. He stopped at the Dairy Carousel, located at 220 South Main St. in Attleboro. It’s a local staple. If you’re from the area, you know it. If you aren't, it’s the kind of place where the clerk probably recognizes the regulars.
💡 You might also like: Why Tropicana Field as a Shelter Failed During Hurricane Milton
When David scratched that ticket, he didn't just see a few hundred bucks. He saw the grand prize.
The reaction was physical. David later told the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission that he "almost fainted" right there in the store. Can you blame him? One minute you’re a forklift trainer who just ditched a shift, and the next, you’re looking at a piece of cardboard worth eight figures.
Choosing the Lump Sum: The $6.5 Million Reality
When you win a "ten million dollar" prize, you don't actually get ten million dollars in your bank account the next day. The lottery is a bit of a math lesson wrapped in a dream.
David had two choices:
- Take the full $10 million in annual payments over a long period.
- Take the one-time cash option.
He went with the cash. Most people do. The one-time payment for this specific game worked out to $6,500,000 before taxes. After the state and federal governments took their inevitable cut, he was still looking at a multi-million dollar windfall.
The Dairy Carousel didn't walk away empty-handed either. For selling the winning ticket, the store received a $50,000 bonus. That's a huge win for a local business, essentially a massive tip for being in the right place at the right time.
Why This Win Hits Differently
We see lottery winners all the time, but the story of Massachusetts lottery winner David Badejo resonated because of the "overtime" factor.
In the modern economy, "the hustle" is praised. We’re told to work harder, take every shift, and grind until we drop. David did the opposite. He prioritized his time over a few extra bucks of OT pay, and the universe rewarded him with the ultimate "paid time off."
“I’m glad I didn’t take OT today!” he told lottery officials.
🔗 Read more: Understanding What Race Commits More Crime: The Real Numbers and Why They Exist
It's a quote that should be framed in every breakroom in America. It captures that rare moment where a gamble on personal time pays off in the most literal sense possible.
What’s Next? Tahoe’s and Tacos
A lot of winners talk about buying islands or starting tech companies. David's plans were refreshingly grounded. He told officials he wanted two things:
- A new Chevy Tahoe.
- A nice dinner out to celebrate.
That’s it. No mention of a private jet or a mansion in the Hills. Just a reliable, large SUV and a good meal. There is something profoundly relatable about that. It suggests a man who knows exactly what he needs to be happy and isn't interested in the "nouveau riche" lifestyle that often leads lottery winners to bankruptcy within five years.
The Odds of the $10,000,000 Bonanza
To put David’s win into perspective, he was the very first grand prize winner for the "$10,000,000 Bonanza" game.
At the time of his win in late July 2025, there was only one other $10 million top prize left in the entire state for that specific game. He beat the odds in a way that is statistically staggering. Most people spend their lives chasing a $500 win on a scratcher; David skipped work and hit the ceiling of what the game allows.
Managing the Windfall: Lessons from the Pros
While David seems to have his head on straight with his Tahoe and dinner plans, the "lottery curse" is a real thing. Financial experts like those at Vanguard or Charles Schwab often point out that sudden wealth is a psychological shock.
If you ever find yourself in David's shoes (unlikely, but we can dream), here is the playbook most experts suggest:
1. The "Cooling Off" Period
Don't claim the prize immediately. David claimed his fairly quickly, but Massachusetts allows winners some time to get their ducks in a row. You need to assemble a "Team of Three": a tax attorney, a certified financial planner (CFP), and a reputable accountant.
2. Anonymous or Not?
In Massachusetts, you can't really stay anonymous if you claim the prize individually. Your name and hometown become public record. This is why winners often see "long-lost cousins" crawling out of the woodwork. David’s name is now part of the public archive, which is why we’re talking about him today.
3. The Debt Sweep
Before the Chevy Tahoe arrives, the smartest move—and one David is likely positioned to do—is the total elimination of high-interest debt. Paying off a mortgage or student loans provides a "guaranteed return" that no stock market can promise.
The Legacy of the "No-OT" Win
What can we actually learn from the Massachusetts lottery winner David Badejo?
Aside from the obvious "it’s better to be lucky than good," it’s a reminder that life is about the decisions we make in the margins. If David had been a "perfect" employee that day, he would have been training someone on a forklift while a stranger walked into the Dairy Carousel and bought his ticket.
He chose himself for one morning.
If you're looking to follow in his footsteps (statistically, don't count on it), the Massachusetts State Lottery still has millions in unclaimed prizes. But maybe the real takeaway isn't about the ticket. Maybe it's about the value of taking a breath, skipping the extra shift once in a while, and seeing where the day takes you.
💡 You might also like: Pistol Pete Gang Member: What Really Happened to Peter Rollock and the Sex Money Murder Crew
Practical Steps for Aspiring Winners
- Check the remaining prizes: Before buying a scratcher, go to the official Massachusetts Lottery website. They list exactly how many grand prizes are left for every game. Never buy a ticket for a game where the top prizes are already gone.
- Sign the back: The second David realized he won, he likely signed that ticket. Without a signature, a lottery ticket is a "bearer instrument"—meaning whoever holds it, owns it.
- Keep it simple: Follow David’s lead. Start with a Chevy Tahoe (or your version of it) rather than a fleet of Lamborghinis. Longevity in wealth comes from controlled burn, not a wildfire.
David Badejo Jr. went from a forklift trainer to a millionaire because he decided he’d rather go to the store than work overtime. In the world of "quiet quitting" and work-life balance, he is the undisputed champion.
Actionable Insight: If you play the lottery, treat it as entertainment, not an investment strategy. If you do win, your first call shouldn't be to the car dealership—it should be to a fee-only financial advisor who doesn't earn commissions on the products they sell you. This ensures the advice you get is for your benefit, not theirs.