MASON CITY – A northern Iowa man said he had a feeling to try a different scratch game last week and that decision ended up being in his favor as he won a big lottery prize.
Robert Whipple of Hampton claimed the 50th of 72 prizes of $10,000 available in the Iowa Lottery’s “$250,000 Riches” scratch game.
Whipple, 46, said he bought his winning ticket Oct. 27 after his shift at Git-N-Go, 319 Central Ave. E. in Hampton.
“Usually I play the $10 ones, but some reason I thought, ‘What the heck,’” Whipple told lottery employees Monday as he claimed his prize at the lottery’s regional office in Mason City.
Whipple said he had someone else double-check his work to make sure he’d won and then he started to celebrate.
He said he was anxious all weekend as he waited to claim his prize from the lottery. And, he said he already has plans for his winnings.
“I’m going to pay off all my bills and I’m going to be debt free,” Whipple said. “So this will really help me out.”
The $250,000 Riches scratch game is a $20 ticket.
