Man has won lottery 18 times since 1997 — but insists his 'real luck' started 40 years ago
Stories about frequent lottery winners instantly grab attention online. These anecdotes usually focus on a winning moment and the disbelief that follows. But now and then, someone ends up redefining what “being lucky” actually means, shifting the conversation away from jackpots and toward the parts of life they value far more deeply. For Idaho resident Robert Bevan, who recently won his 18th lottery prize, one inevitable question about his luck was asked by the Idaho Lottery officials. His response left many surprised when he hinted that his luck began 40 years ago, as reported by PEOPLE on Thursday, May 14, 2026.
According to the Idaho Lottery, Bevan recently won another $50,000 prize through the “$1,000,000 King Scratch Game,” officially marking his 18th lottery win since 1997. Naturally, officials could not resist asking what it felt like to be this lucky. But instead of focusing on the money, Bevan quietly redirected the conversation somewhere far more personal. He admitted that his “real luck” was spending 40 years with the same amazing woman, instantly turning what could have been another ordinary lottery story into something heartfelt.
With that simple sentiment, the Idaho resident proved that while financial luck can come and go, finding someone willing to build an entire life beside you for decades is the kind of fortune many people spend far longer searching for. Over time, playing the lottery became less about chasing jackpots and more about a small tradition woven into their marriage. Bevan explained that buying tickets with his wife had simply “become part of life,” something the couple continued doing together purely for fun over the years.
Somewhere along the way, those casual routines also turned into an almost unbelievable streak of wins. Since 1997, Bevan has collected prizes ranging from smaller $1,000 payouts to rewards worth as much as $200,000, including a 1997 Chevy 4-Door Blazer through the iconic “Blazer Bucks” promotion. While most people would probably view these as extraordinary luck, for him, they seem tied just as much to companionship and shared rituals they built over decades.
Alongside crediting his wife as his greatest source of luck, Bevan also shared a few surprisingly simple thoughts about how he approaches lottery tickets. During his interview with Idaho Lottery officials, he explained that he never treats buying tickets like a carefully planned system. In fact, much of it comes down to randomness and timing, often grabbing a ticket during ordinary moments, like while stopping to fuel his car.
Whether that spontaneous approach actually contributes to his luck is impossible to know. But perhaps that uncertainty is exactly what people found so interesting about his story. Beneath all the jackpots, Bevan also appeared far more grateful for the companionship and decades of shared moments that had quietly become the most meaningful part of his life.
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