Iowa Lottery

Cedar Rapids Woman In Shock Over $25,000 Lottery Prize

Emily Ritzman Wins Big Prize Playing "Bingo Times 10" Scratch Game

  Hear Emily tell her story.

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DES MOINES, Iowa - A Cedar Rapids woman said she never expected to win a $25,000 top prize playing the lottery's "Bingo Times 10" instant-scratch game.

Emily Ritzman, 26, said this prize is by far the most she has ever won; she is used to winning $2 and $3 prizes.

"I was happy," Ritzman said with a laugh. "I was just shocked because I have never won anything like this, ever."

Ritzman scratched the ticket in her car at Guppy's on the Go, 1532 Ellis Blvd. N.W. in Cedar Rapids, where she purchased the ticket. She called her dad first.

"He didn't believe me at first. I had to show him the ticket," Ritzman said.

Ritzman said she likes to play different tickets because she doesn't play that often. It was just the luck of the draw that she picked the Bingo Times 10 ticket.

"I just plan to save it," she said. "I might spend a little here and there."

Ritzman claimed her prize Tuesday at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids.

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