Michael Milbrath claimed the fourth of nine top prizes of $30,000 available in the Iowa Lottery’s “Vault” instant-scratch game.
“I looked at it several times. I really wasn’t sure until I got (to the lottery),” Milbrath told lottery employees Wednesday as he claimed his prize at the lottery’s regional office in Mason City.
The 65-year-old retiree said he had his ticket for about month before he scratched it off. Kum & Go, 418 S. Federal Ave. in Mason City sold the winning ticket.
“I’ve had it for a while and then I did it and I called my daughter and had her come over and I showed it to her and she said I won,” Milbrath said.
Even after his daughter confirmed that he’d won, Milbrath said he was still skeptical because he’s misread the rules on scratch games before.
“I’ve never been really very lucky,” he said.
Milbrath said he plans to share his winnings with his daughter and grandson.
