Fort Smith, Arkansas – Arkansas players are celebrating a streak of big instant ticket wins after several residents recently claimed large prizes through scratch-off games from the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery. Officials say the latest winners show how quickly fortunes can change with a single ticket, as three players across the state walked away with prizes ranging from $50,000 to $75,000.
Multiple winners cash in across Arkansas
One of the biggest recent winners is Clyde H. of Pocahontas, who claimed a $75,000 top prize from the Crossword X-tra $3 instant game. He picked up his prize on Feb. 6 at the lottery claim center after purchasing the winning ticket at Jordan’s Kwik Stop #72 on Highway 67 South in Pocahontas.
Clyde said he had originally stopped at the store for pizza and decided to buy a ticket on a whim. A regular player who enjoys sampling different games, he said his choice that day was completely random. “I just picked something,” he told lottery officials.
The surprise win stunned both Clyde and the people he shared the news with, as the ticket he selected happened to contain the game’s top prize.
Another lucky player, Johnny D. of Fort Smith, also scored big, winning $50,000 on the $50,000 Stacked instant game. He claimed his prize on Feb. 3 after buying the $20 ticket at Casey’s #4637 on Phoenix Avenue while visiting his mother.
Johnny’s win followed a string of smaller victories earlier that day. First, he won $20 on a ticket from the same game. He used that prize to buy a $2 ticket from a related game and won $200. With those winnings, he purchased another $50,000 Stacked ticket and took it home to play.
His luck continued. After scratching the ticket, he realized he had hit the top prize and excitedly told his mother, “Mom, I think I won big,” he said.
The excitement kept him awake most of the night as he waited to claim his winnings. After collecting the prize, Johnny said he is thinking about using part of the money to buy a new car.
Another top prize discovered at home
A third winner, Eric D. of Benton County, also claimed a $50,000 top prize from the same game. He picked up his winnings on Feb. 9 after purchasing his ticket at Walmart Market #2741 in Bentonville while grocery shopping with his son.
Eric said he usually plays a smaller game in the Stacked ticket series, but that day he had a $20 bill in his pocket and decided to try something different.
“I’ll try this one,” he thought, selecting $50,000 Stacked from the kiosk.
He placed the ticket in his car door pocket and did not check it until he got home. Sitting at his kitchen table, he scanned the barcode using the lottery’s mobile app before scratching it. The app told him to claim his prize at the lottery office, prompting him to check the ticket more closely. When he realized what he had won, he reacted with disbelief. “Whoa, this is legit!” Eric said.
He shared the news with his girlfriend but is keeping the win secret from his son for now because he plans to surprise him with a special trip.
Lottery officials noted that 73 top prizes of $50,000 still remain available in the $50,000 Stacked game. They say stories like these highlight how many winning opportunities are still out there for players who decide to try their luck.
