Northern Iowa Man Wins Big Lottery Prize
Donny Francis Claims Jackpot Prize of More Than $78,000 In InstaPlay Lottery Game
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CLIVE, Iowa — A retired farmer from Mitchell County says he thought someone was joking when he learned he had won a lottery prize of more than $78,000.
Donny Francis of Mitchell won big playing the "Hot Ticket Progressive" InstaPlay game. He bought his winning ticket at Rusty's Last Call, 604 Main St. in Osage. He learned he was a big winner after the bar owner checked the ticket for him on the lottery terminal.
"I said, 'You're joking! Someone's pulling a joke on me,'" Francis said with a laugh on Friday as he claimed his prize at the lottery's Mason City regional office. "I still didn't believe it until I got over here this morning."
Once he realized the prize was real, Francis celebrated by buying the next round for everyone at the bar.
Francis said he shared the news with family and friends, including members of a group chat called the Misfits.
Hot Ticket Progressive is a $10 game that features a jackpot that starts at $10,000 and increases with every ticket sold statewide until it's won.
Francis, 83, farmed all his life and still helps his son, who now runs the family farming operation. "I still go out there every day and help him out a little," he said. "Got to keep active."
As for his winnings, Francis said he'll start by putting the money in the bank, but he also has his eye on a new side-by-side vehicle.
InstaPlay combines features of scratch and lotto games. Tickets are printed on demand from lottery terminals rather than being pre-printed, and are sometimes called "scratchless" because there is no security coating to remove.
InstaPlay games range in price from $1 to $30. For more information, visit www.ialottery.com.
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