Two lucky Arkansas residents recently claimed big prizes at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) Claim Center.

Little Rock resident D. Smith won $250,000 with a $10 ticket for the 100X the Win instant game. He claimed his prize on Oct. 21.

The winning ticket was purchased at Valero, 6500 Mabelvale Cut Off in Little Rock.

“It’s kind of crazy,” Smith’s wife told lottery officials. “Our dog is really the reason we won.”

The couple was on their way to Camden with their beloved Chihuahua in tow when Smith’s wife noticed they had forgotten the dog bed. They returned to Little Rock for the bed, and Smith spontaneously decided to buy a lottery ticket.

A daily scratch-off player, Smith purchased the lucky 100X the Win ticket at his favorite retailer. He soon received the surprise of his life—he had won the game’s $250,000 top prize.

“I saw some zeroes and then a comma,” Smith said.

He quickly turned to show the ticket to his wife. Stunned, she wondered whether he’d really won the massive prize.

With the win was confirmed, the Little Rock couple “went on about their business” until they could visit the ASL Claim Center. So far, they have only shared the good news with a few family members.

Smith plans to pay off some bills and buy his wife a new vehicle with his winnings. He also plans to continue playing lottery games, setting his eyes on an even bigger prize.

Another Arkansan, Micheal R. of Sherwood, won $200,000 with a $10 Ultimate Riches ticket purchased at Kiehl Super Stop on 2200 E. Kiehl Ave. in Sherwood. He claimed his prize on Oct. 23.

Micheal, a retired railroad worker, bought the winning ticket along with two other Ultimate Riches tickets. He was at home when he realized he had won the $200,000 top prize.

Though excited, the Sherwood man kept his cool. The trick, he shared with lottery officials, would be figuring out how to announce the win to his wife.

“Be calm,” Micheal said. He first showed her the other two Ultimate Riches tickets, on which he had won $15 and $10 prizes. When he finally showed her the $200,000 winning ticket, Micheal’s wife dropped it out of shock.

Her surprise was understandable: until then, Micheal’s biggest lottery prize was $500.

Still, as long-time lottery players, the day the couple had hoped for had finally arrived.

“I knew we were going to hit one time,” Micheal’s wife said.

Micheal plans to pay off some bills, get out of debt and use his winnings to help others. He also plans to save some of his prize.

“We have been blessed, so we will bless somebody else,” Micheal said.

Ultimate Riches has two $200,000 top prizes remaining.

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

About the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery 

The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery (ASL) creates winning people, winning futures, and winning moments. Since 2009, the ASL has sold over $7.6 billion and returned more than $1.4 billion for scholarships to benefit Arkansas students. More than 770,000 college scholarships distributed by the Arkansas Department of Higher Education have been awarded to Arkansans. The lottery has awarded more than $5 billion in prizes to players, more than $429 million in retailer commissions, and provided more than $179 million in state and federal tax revenue.

Follow the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery on Facebook, X, formerly known as Twitter, and Instagram. Visit MyArkansasLottery.com for more information on scholarships, winners, games, odds, promotions – and to join The Club for free. To get help with problem gambling, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.

D. Smith of Little Rock won $250,000 playing 100X the Win.

Sherwood resident Micheal R. won $200,000 playing the Ultimate Riches instant game.