Iowa’s first jackpot winner in the Lotto America game claimed his $4.38 million prize today! Chuck Anderson of Davenport said he knows he beat long odds by winning a jackpot with a ticket he got as a free play in a lottery promotion.
He said he won’t believe it’s all real until the money is actually deposited in the bank.
Anderson, 52, won Iowa’s first jackpot in Lotto America just six months after the game’s start. And in an interesting twist, his winning ticket was one that he got for free from the Iowa Lottery.
His winning ticket came from the Kwik Star convenience store at 2850 W. Locust St. in Davenport. This month, the Iowa Lottery is giving away free lotto plays in a promotion called “Lotto Surprise.” Throughout the month, random players will receive free lotto plays when they buy tickets in a particular game. During the first week of May, the qualifying purchase was a Powerball® ticket and the free plays involved were in the Lotto America game. So, Anderson’s jackpot-winning ticket in Lotto America was generated as a free play when he bought a Powerball ticket.
Anderson’s ticket matched all six numbers in Saturday’s Lotto America drawing, which were: 8-15-18-32-45 and Star Ball 1.
Anderson said that he didn’t check the results of his tickets for a couple days after the drawing. And when he saw the winning numbers on the lottery website, he said he had to look again – and again. He said it took a little while for it all to sink in!
Anderson said he’s working with legal and financial advisors to make responsible decisions with his winnings, and he plans to invest the money for his future. He said he’s excited for the opportunity to help family and feels lucky to have won this prize.
Anderson chose to receive his prize as the lump-sum amount of about $2.6 million.
Hi, Ned. I am sharing your comment with the Lottery Security Division so someone from there can research what occurred with your ticket and provide you with further details. I will ask them to reach out to you directly.
Posted by: Mary Neubauer | May 17, 2018 at 04:32 PM
I have a Lotto America ticket. When I went to two stores they both said it had been paid by others. Not so. I have the ticket. What did do wrong???
Posted by: ned Russell | May 13, 2018 at 12:07 PM