Little Rock, Arkansas – What began as an ordinary stop for a drink turned into an unforgettable day for an Arkansas woman who walked away with a $50,000 lottery prize.
Vanessa C. of Pulaski County recently claimed a top prize after purchasing a winning scratch-off ticket during a visit to a gas station in Little Rock. Her win came from the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery game $50,000 Stacked, and she officially claimed the prize at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Claim Center on June 19.
The surprise victory transformed what she expected to be a normal Friday into a celebration.
“I’m calling today, ‘Fri-yay,’” Vanessa said. “This is just so amazing!”
Vanessa purchased the winning ticket at Sam Cantrell LLC, located at 7320 Cantrell Road in Little Rock. Although she plays lottery games from time to time, she was not specifically planning to buy a scratch-off ticket that day. After stopping at the gas station to grab a drink, she decided to try her luck.
She had recently won $40 from another lottery game and chose to use those winnings toward a new ticket. According to lottery officials, Vanessa followed a feeling that led her to buy a $50,000 Stacked scratch-off ticket.
“I just got a feeling,” Vanessa told lottery officials.
A shocking discovery in the parking lot
After making her purchase, Vanessa returned to her car and began scratching the ticket. It did not take long before she realized she might be holding a major winner.
As she uncovered the symbols and prize amounts, she discovered she had landed a $50,000 top prize.
“Lo and behold, if that wasn’t a $50,000-winning ticket!” Vanessa said. “I thought I was seeing things.”
Not fully convinced by what she was seeing, Vanessa immediately headed back inside the store and asked employees to verify the ticket.
“Y’all, I think I just won $50,000—check my ticket!” she said.
Store employees confirmed that the ticket was indeed a winner. The unexpected news quickly turned the atmosphere into a celebration. Vanessa shared the moment with the store team before reaching out to a friend to tell them about her good fortune.
The prize represents the largest scratch-off win she has ever received.
Vanessa already knows how she plans to use some of the money. She said she intends to take her children to the beach and enjoy a family trip together. Despite the life-changing win, she has no plans to stop playing lottery games.
“I’ve got pretty good luck!” she said.
Another winner may not know it yet
While Vanessa has already claimed her prize, another Arkansas lottery player could still be holding a valuable winning ticket.
Lottery officials announced that a winning LOTTO ticket worth $25,000 was sold for the June 20 drawing at Hop In Carpenter Dam, located at 500 Carpenter Dam Road in Hot Springs.
The winning numbers drawn were 2, 14, 18, 20, 23 and 32. The Bonus Number was 13.
As of now, the ticket remains unclaimed. The holder of the winning ticket has 180 days from the drawing date to come forward and collect the prize.
Lottery officials are encouraging players who purchased tickets for the June 20 drawing to check them carefully. Meanwhile, excitement continues to build for the next LOTTO drawing, where the jackpot has climbed to $1.767 million for Wednesday night.
