As we near the point of sliding into the weekend, I’m posting to the blog one last time to thank you for being part a conversation here with me for so many years. Showing that time really does fly, today is my last day at the Iowa Lottery.
I am retiring after being a member of the lottery team for nearly 26 years.
Jackpots & The Speed At Which We Find Out
I think of the huge change in the size of the jackpots during that time! And the speed with which we find out whether there’s been a big winning ticket in Iowa. That used to take several hours, usually until the early morning time, but with today’s faster computers, we generally know whether Iowa has had a winner by about 10:30 p.m.
The way we communicate with each other also has definitely changed! There was no such thing as social media when my career started at the lottery. But we jumped right in when that new thing came along that at the time was called new media. And now you can interact with us on multiple social media platforms
Wait, It’s Not Just One Free Play A Year?
Here’s something else to make you smile: When I started at the Iowa Lottery, the lottery had a birthday club you could join to get a free play mailed to you on your birthday. Fast forward to today, and that’s morphed into the VIP Club where you get a free play every month and can enter contests and promotions for the chance to win exclusive prizes.
The Difference The Lottery Has Made
I think about the tremendous good the lottery has accomplished in our state through the years. During my time here, the lottery has raised more than $42 million for the Iowa Veterans Trust Fund to support veterans and their families. I’m extremely proud to have worked on the legislation to make that possible.
Those Winning Stories
The winner stories are what I’ll remember and miss the most.
I think of the jackpot winner who knew for a couple weeks that he’d hit big, but he waited to claim the prize because he was having so much fun listening to people in his hometown theorize about why the money hadn’t been claimed yet.
Then there was another jackpot winner who bought the small golf course in his community to keep it open for folks to enjoy.
And the winner who knew on a Friday that he’d won a big prize, and he’d have to wait the whole weekend before he could claim his winnings when lottery offices opened on Monday. When I asked him where he kept his ticket for safekeeping that weekend, he said it was in his dentures case because no one would ever look there.
THAT was a story I wasn’t expecting!
Things Change, But They Also Stay The Same
Through it all, the lottery has kept coming up with new game ideas and provided as many details as we can to help answer your questions.
As I step away, the blog may not be updated as often until new staffers come onboard. There will be more lottery stories to tell in the time to come, and I hope you’ll enjoy talking with the next person who will deliver them.
-- Mary from the Lottery
Mary, I remember when you started, back with Ed (Dr. Stanek)- back in the original building. Thank you for all of your help over the years, and the research that you were able to provide.
May you have a Blessed retirement!
Regards,
Mark Chandler, Lotologist
Posted by: Mark Chandler | July 05, 2025 at 07:10 AM
Mary, Good luck in retirement!!
Posted by: Jeanine Braun | June 27, 2025 at 06:54 AM
Thank you
Posted by: Tim graves | June 26, 2025 at 01:16 PM
Mary I wish you nothing but the best! Sometime change is good sometime we don’t like it but the things you will be able to do! Enjoy your new journey, whatever your new plans are! Enjoy life is short do don’t wait till tomorrow to enjoy life today! Best wishes😊❤️
Posted by: Cindy Anderson | June 26, 2025 at 11:17 AM