Iowa Lottery

North Liberty Man Wins $30,000 Lottery Prize

Gary Peltier Wins Top Prize Playing the "Crossword" Scratch Game

  Hear Gary tell his story.

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DES MOINES, Iowa - A North Liberty man was just sitting at home with his wife when he scratched off his favorite game, "Crossword," and realized he'd won the top prize of $30,000.

"I couldn't believe it. We had to go over it a couple of times to make sure we had the 10 words," explained Gary Peltier.

Peltier said he came straight to the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids the next morning to have his ticket validated. He purchased his winning ticket at Kum & Go, 610 N. Kansas in North Liberty.

Peltier said he kept his winning ticket close and didn't get much sleep the night before he claimed his prize on May 26.

"It was close. It was never out of arm's length," stated Peltier.

Peltier, 44, said the first thing that ran through his mind was how he and his wife, Gail, will be able to use the winnings to pay off some bills.

"Pay some bills off, take a little vacation," said Peltier, a facility services coordinator for the University of Iowa.

He also shared the good news with his mother and plans to share some of his winnings with her.