On July 19, 2025, the world was reminded of a legendary story: how Stefan Mandel, a Romanian-Australian economist, won the lottery 14 times using a legal ticket hack. His strategy, based on simple math and massive logistics, sparked investigations by the FBI and CIA, though no laws were broken.
How the Math Genius Won the Lottery 14 Times With a Legal Ticket Hack
Mandel’s method was surprisingly straightforward. He realized that in some lotteries, the jackpot exceeded the cost of buying every possible number combination. So, he created algorithms to print millions of tickets and formed syndicates to fund the purchases.
“I’m a man who takes risks, but in a calculated way,” Mandel once told Bursa.
His biggest win came in Virginia, where he bought 6.4 million tickets out of 7 million possible combinations. The jackpot? A whopping $15.5 million.
FBI Probe and Legal Aftermath
Despite the scale of his operation, Mandel’s actions were completely legal. The FBI and CIA launched investigations but found no wrongdoing. However, his success led to new lottery laws in countries like Australia and the U.S., banning bulk ticket purchases and computer-generated entries.
Legacy of the Mathematical Millionaire
Though Mandel eventually retired to a tropical island, his story remains a testament to the power of math and strategy. He didn’t rely on luck, he relied on logic. His wins helped investors earn millions, and his name became synonymous with lottery hacking.
