Two Arkansas residents have each won $50,000 after playing the $50,000 Stacked instant ticket game, according to a March 23 announcement from the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.
The wins highlight continued interest in instant lottery games across the state and underscore the potential for significant prizes. Both winners purchased their tickets at local retailers and shared plans for their winnings.
K. Malcolm of Clark County purchased his winning ticket at Smoker Friendly #1157 in Arkadelphia. “What’s funny is, that’s not my usual ticket,” Malcolm told lottery officials. He said he typically plays games with larger top prizes but decided to try $50,000 Stacked with extra money he had on hand. After scratching off his ticket at home and discovering the prize, Malcolm said, “I couldn’t believe it at first. I was just in shock.” He called his brother to share the news and plans to use his winnings to open a business. “I’ve wanted to do this for a while, and this will help,” he said.
Brian Wells of Monticello also won $50,000 on a $50,000 Stacked ticket bought at E-Z Mart #4453 in Monticello. A regular player of instant games—especially those costing $20—Wells has developed a routine where he buys tickets early in the morning and waits until later in the day to scratch them off while sitting in his favorite chair with his “lucky scratching pocketknife.” This time his ritual paid off when he found out about his biggest win yet: “$1 got one!” Wells said after revealing the prize on the first row of his ticket. He plans to put some winnings toward buying cars—a hobby—and celebrate by taking family members out for lunch.
According to officials, fifty-seven top prizes remain unclaimed for this particular game. Since its inception in 2009, more than 873,000 college scholarships have been awarded through proceeds from lottery sales managed by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.
Lottery officials remind players that all winning tickets must be verified before payouts are made and encourage responsible play.
