James G., a Sherwood resident, claimed a $85,000 Natural State Jackpot prize last week at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) Claim Center. The winning ticket was sold at E-Z Mart #4399 on 1321 Main St. in Little Rock for the Jan. 11 draw, and the winning numbers were 2, 17, 22, 24 and 39. 

James was returning home from getting his wife’s car repaired when he stopped at a gas station. A daily lottery player, James decided to purchase five Quick Pick tickets for the Natural State Jackpot—his favorite lottery game.

While at a traffic light the following day, the Arkansan checked the AR Lottery + Club app for the winning numbers. To his surprise, the app indicated that he had won a prize large enough to warrant a trip to the ASL Claim Center.

“My heart is still beating,” the man shared with lottery officials.

Hoping to surprise his family, James decided to keep his win a secret for a while.

“I thought, ‘Should I call my wife or not?’ And I said no,” he grinned. “I’m just going to take the check in the house.”

James hopes his family will celebrate and pray together—a practice they developed from one of his previous big wins.

The Sherwood resident intends to pay bills with his prize. He also wants to keep playing lottery games for fun. 

Hamburg resident Kimberly Peters recently won a $50,000 top prize on the $20 $50,000 Blast instant game. She purchased her ticket at 1133 Highway 278 LLC in Monticello on the way to church. 

Hoping to win only $5,000, Kimberly walked away with the top prize instead. She intends to pay off some bills with her winnings. 

A pair of winners claimed another top prize on the $50,000 Blast instant game. G. and H. Zachery, a married couple from Stephens, purchased the winning ticket as part of their daily lottery playing routine at Stephens Pit Stop on 311 S. 1st St. in Stephens.

The duo plans to share some of their winnings with their family and take care of other expenses.

Twelve top prizes remain for the $50,000 Blast instant game.

For more information about lottery games and how to play, visit MyArkansasLottery.com.

About the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery creates winning people, winning futures, and winning moments. Since 2009, the lottery has raised more than $1.3 billion in proceeds for scholarships. More than 720,000 college scholarships have been awarded to Arkansans. The lottery has awarded more than $4.8 billion in prizes to players, more than $404 million in retailer commissions, and provided more than $173 million in state and federal tax revenue.

Follow the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit MyArkansasLottery.com for more information on scholarships, winners, games, odds, promotions – and to join The Club for free. To hear winning numbers, call the Winning Numbers Hotline at 501-682-IWON (4966). To get help with problem gambling, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

James G. claimed an $85,000 lottery prize by playing Natural State Jackpot.

Hamburg resident Kimberly Peters won $50,000 on the $50,000 Blast instant game.

G. and H. Zachery of Stephens won $50,000 playing $50,000 Blast.