A fortunate individual in Waterloo, Iowa, has won a $2 million prize from a Mega Millions ticket purchased at a local Walmart. The Iowa Lottery confirmed that the ticket matched the first five numbers drawn, missing the jackpot by just one number. This ticket was the only one in the nation to win at the Match-5 level on Friday.
The winner has a 180-day window from the drawing date to claim their prize at the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive. Since its inception in 1985, the Iowa Lottery has seen nearly 200 players win prizes of $1 million or more. Notably, the state’s largest lottery prize was a $343.9 million Powerball jackpot won by Lerynne West of Redfield.
Lottery Success in Iowa
Iowa has a history of significant lottery wins. In 2025, Jaime Zavala of Norwalk claimed a $3 million Mega Millions prize, while Ronald Rothe of Denison and William Zak of Dysart each won $1 million Powerball prizes. Additionally, ten Iowans won $500,000 each through various lottery games, highlighting the state’s active participation in lottery draws.
Prizes exceeding $250,000 must be claimed in person, ensuring winners have the opportunity to celebrate their success with the Iowa Lottery team. The lottery remains a popular pastime in Iowa, offering residents the chance to dream big and occasionally win life-changing sums.
Original reporting: KCCI Des Moines — read the source article.
