Iowa Lottery

Chicago Man Receives $10,000 Stocking Stuffer

Matthew Stefani Wins Top Prize Playing the "Merry MONOPOLY™" Scratch Game

  Hear Matthew tell his story.

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DES MOINES, Iowa - A Chicago, Ill. man was back home in Iowa visiting his in-laws when he received a "Merry MONOPOLY™" instant-scratch ticket in his stocking and won a top prize of $10,000.

Matthew Stefani, 33, said he is originally from Cedar Rapids and his wife is from Iowa City, so they come to Iowa to visit often.

"Initially it was disbelief. We wanted to make sure we understood the rules of the game," Stefani said.

Stefani said he and his wife, Fallon, had other family members double-check the ticket and confirm they were winners.

Stefani, who is a commercial banker, claimed his prize Jan. 11 at the Iowa Lottery's regional office in Cedar Rapids. His mother-in-law purchased his winning ticket at Aerie, 225 Iowa Highway 1 W. in Iowa City.

"We have a three-month-old little girl so it'll either go to her long-term or get us in a bigger house," Stefani said.

The MONOPOLY name and logo, the distinctive design of the gameboard, the four corner squares, the MR. MONOPOLY name and character, as well as each of the distinctive elements of the board and playing pieces are trademarks of Hasbro for its property trading game and game equipment. © 1935, 2012 Hasbro. All Rights Reserved. Licensed by Hasbro.

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