Two Arkansans claimed big prizes at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery Claim Center on May 20.
Jimmy Welch of Hot Springs won a $200,000 lottery prize by playing the $10 Casino Nights instant game. He purchased the winning ticket at Lake Hamilton Superstore on 2070 Airport Road in Hot Springs.
As a frequent lottery player, Jimmy is most attracted to the newest instant games on display. During a weekly trip to his favorite retailer, the recently launched Casino Nights ticket caught his eye. He purchased the ticket, then waited until later that night to scratch it off.
The Hot Springs resident was stunned to discover he had won the $200,000 top prize.
“I kept saying I was going to hit one, but I didn’t think I’d hit that big,” Jimmy admitted.
Thus far, the man has only told his family about the win.
Jimmy plans to save money and help others with his prize. He also intends to continue playing lottery games, especially because he can help fund scholarships for Arkansas students.
Two top prizes remain on the Casino Nights instant game.
Another winner, John Williams from White Hall, recently claimed the $110,000 jackpot from the May 10 Natural State Jackpot drawing.
He purchased the winning Quick Pick ticket at J & B Gas and Grill, 4200 Highway 365 S. in Jefferson. The winning numbers were 4, 20, 34, 35 and 37.
John purchased the winning ticket along with a few other lottery games. As part of his weekly routine, the White Hall resident buys a set of draw game tickets every Sunday and checks his winnings from the previous week. Though he enjoys the process, John has yet to have much luck with selecting his own winning numbers.
“I couldn’t get not one number,” he laughed. “I said, ‘Let me get a better system.’”
Allowing the computer to select his numbers instead, John landed his luckiest prize yet—one set of tickets awarded him a $1 prize, a $40 prize, and the $110,000 jackpot.
“Well, I’ll be danged,” he thought.
The White Hall resident, initially thinking he had only won a few hundred dollars, contacted a family member to check his numbers. He was stunned to learn the actual prize amount.
Hoping to surprise his wife, Tammy, John kept his win a secret until the morning the pair would visit the claim center.
“I thought he was joking!” she said. “He always teases like that.”
The winner plans to purchase a certificate of deposit with his prize and put the rest in the bank.
Following John’s win, the Natural State Jackpot reset at $50,000. It has since climbed to $100,000 for tonight’s drawing.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
