Anaheim Man Spins Up $2.3-Million Prize in Lottery

Orange County’s newest millionaire made his money the easy way--he won it.

Arlie Ragle, 61, of Anaheim, won $2.325 million Saturday on the Big Spin--the first person in the county to win the California Lottery’s grand prize and the fourth to win more than $1 million.

The soon-to-be-former maintainance supervisor for Hitco of Gardena figures he sent in “at least 150 envelopes” containing three lottery tickets purchased at the Farmer’s Market in Gardena, each with one “wheel.”

To be eligible for the Big Spin, players must send in three tickets containing a wheel symbol. A drawing is held to select those who will spin.

Ragle estimated that he and his wife Dolly, 51, spent $10 every Monday on lottery tickets, sending in an envelope whenever they got the required three wheels. Dolly Ragle also works at Hitco as a data-entry operator.

“I’d get writer’s cramp (filling out the tickets),” Ragle said.

The couple’s decision to let Arlie spin was an easy one, he said, because Dolly Ragle “is very emotional. She didn’t think she could get up there.”

Ragle’s prize will be paid out in annual installments over 20 years, minus 20% withheld for federal taxes. Ragle will receive annual checks of $93,000.

Immediate plans for spending the money include “early retirement for both of us, a customized van to travel around in,” and helping their seven children, who range in age from 22 to 39 and live in Ohio. The Ragles left Ohio three years ago.

While Arlie Ragle said he had a vision about two years ago that he would hit big, his wife was a little more skeptical. “I told my wife I knew this would happen. I told her to keep the faith.”