CLIVE, Iowa — A Davenport, Iowa, man on Thursday claimed a $4.38 million lottery jackpot, acknowledging he had beaten long odds to win a jackpot with a ticket he received as a free play in a lottery promotion.
But Chuck Anderson emphasized he wasn't getting ahead of himself.
"I'm waiting until the money is deposited," he said. "I won't believe it until it's there."
Anderson, 52, won Iowa's first jackpot in Lotto America just six months after the game's start. In an interesting twist, his winning ticket was one that he received for free from the Iowa Lottery.
His winning ticket came from the Kwik Star convenience store at 2850 W. Locust St., Davenport.
This month, the Iowa Lottery is giving away free lotto plays in a promotion called "Lotto Surprise." Random players 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 the Lotto America game. So Mr. Anderson's jackpot-winning ticket in Lotto America was generated as a free play when he bought a Powerball ticket.
He matched all six numbers in Saturday's Lotto America drawing: 8, 15, 18, 32, and 45, with Star Ball number 1.
Mr. Anderson said he didn't check the results of his tickets for a couple days after Saturday's drawing. When he saw the winning numbers on the lottery website, he said he didn't believe it as first.
"I had to check them again," he said with a laugh. "I had to look a couple times."
Mr. Anderson said he is working with legal and financial advisors to make responsible decisions with his winnings, and he plans to invest the money for his future.
"I'm excited for the opportunity to help family and feel lucky to have won this prize," he said. "As a family, we're private people and don't want to change who we are."
Mr. Anderson chose to receive his prize as the lump-sum amount of about $2.6 million. Kwik Star will receive a $5,000 bonus from the Iowa Lottery for selling the Lotto America jackpot-winning ticket at one of its stores.
"Mr. Anderson chose to receive his prize as the lump-sum amount of about $2.6 million."
$2.6 million less 37% federal and 5% Iowa taxes nets around $1.5 million.
$1.5 million invested in VWEAX returns around $6,000 monthly dividends before taxes.
Sounds like he has his act together.
Best part is the free ticket and not an RNG game if memory serves me correctly.
Wise man: ' I won't believe it til the money is in the bank'.
The man is sensible.
Happy for him and his family.
FREE Money!! Except Uncle Sam wants his share. Plus Iowa.
There is no such thing as a free lunch. TINSTAAFL
"I won't believe it until it's there." Seems like Chuck can't wait to begin a long term relationship with his Money.Why not!
Hey bleugo101,
That a good one!
Stating (if "RNG" and "MEMORY" serves me correctly) in the same sentence.
Since RNG is not truly random and the memory can be altered. ;)
Can winners in Iowa remain anonymous?
Nope- That privilege is only bestowed on: Alabama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mississippi, Nevada, and Utah.
Congratulations to Mr. Anderson on winning this jackpot. That was the 2nd Lotto America jackpot winning ticket in the year 2018. I thought there was going to be only 1 Lotto America jackpot winning ticket this year but I was wrong. Thank you Mr. Anderson of Iowa for winning this one!
That's a good one noise-gate. Let's see: AL & MS no lottery=Bible Belt; AK & HI don't know; NV=forbidden by their constitution--think Casinos; UT=No, Mormons ruling the roost.
Not an Anti-semite, just using my late Dad's saying 'I call it as I see it.' LOL Everyone have a great day and big winnings!!
This is from the article in News about Georgia allowing players to remain anonymous;
Georgia joins Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas as states that allow winners to remain anonymous. Arizona has a limited shield law that shields lottery winners' identities for 90 days after they claim their prizes.