When Bonnie W. stopped at the Kroger 465 Fuel station on West Moultrie Street in Blytheville for her usual grocery run, she never expected the day to end with a life‑changing prize. While browsing the vending machine that sells Arkansas Scholarship Lottery tickets, she pressed a random button and chose a $5 50X instant game. The ticket, purchased on an ordinary afternoon, turned out to be a $100,000 winner.
How the prize unfolded
Bonnie, who says she plays the lottery a couple of times each month, scratched the ticket inside the store. The first row revealed a $50,000 prize, and a second row uncovered another $50,000, bringing the total to $100,000. She told lottery officials she had no particular game in mind when she made the purchase, simply “pushed a random button.”
After confirming the win, Bonnie shared the news with her husband, who needed reassurance that the ticket was genuine. She then called a close friend and asked her to travel with her to Little Rock to claim the prize at the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery claim center on August 12.
Claiming the winnings
At the claim center, lottery staff verified the ticket and processed the payout. Bonnie said she plans to save the money, though she did not elaborate on any specific plans beyond that. The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery still has one $100,000 top prize available in the 50X game, offering other players a chance at a similar windfall.
Local reaction
The win has generated excitement in the Blytheville community. Neighbors and friends praised Bonnie’s good fortune, noting that a sudden, sizable win can provide a boost to a family’s financial stability. While the lottery is a form of entertainment, officials remind players that it should be approached responsibly.
Bonnie’s story underscores how a simple, everyday decision—pressing a random button—can lead to an unexpected reward. It also highlights the continued popularity of the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery’s instant games, which fund scholarships for state students.
About the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery
The Arkansas Scholarship Lottery, established in 2009, allocates a portion of its proceeds to the Arkansas Scholarship Fund, which provides tuition assistance to eligible Arkansas students. The 50X instant game is one of several scratch‑off options available at authorized retailers throughout the state, including grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience shops.
For anyone interested in trying their luck, tickets can be purchased at any authorized retailer. Players are encouraged to play responsibly and to remember that lottery winnings are subject to state and federal taxes.
Original reporting: NEA Report (Jonesboro) — read the source article.
