DES MOINES, Iowa – A Mesa, AZ man was staying with friends in Mason City when he purchased a “Triple Fortune” instant-scratch game and ended up winning a top prize of $10,000.
Walter Thomas, 86, said he travels to Iowa every year to visit friends and family, but he never expected this to be part of his trip.
“My wife was looking at them and I said, ‘Oh, there probably won’t be anything on them,’” Thomas said. “And she said, ‘No, I think you won ten thousand dollars!’”
Thomas purchased his winning ticket at Northside Liquor and Grocery, 1303 N. Federal Ave. in Mason City, after hearing that the store had produced some big winners.
“I thought, ‘Oh, man!’ I couldn’t believe it was true,” he said.
Thomas said he has spread the news with his family and friends and everyone was excited for him. He claimed his prize July 9 at the Iowa Lottery’s regional office in Mason City.
“I couldn’t hardly wait to get here!” he said.
Thomas said he plans to use some of his winnings for his vacation with his wife, Rosemary, as well as help with medical needs.
Triple Fortune is a $2 scratch game. Players scratch the “cash and prize column.” If they find the “money bag” symbol they win the prize shown for that symbol. If they find the “$$$” symbol, they win triple the prize shown for that symbol. If they find the “bank vault” symbol, they win all ten prizes shown. The overall odds of winning a prize in the game are 1 in 3.79.
Sixteen top prizes of $10,000 are still up for grabs in Triple Fortune, as well as 37 prizes of $1,000 and 160 prizes of $100.
