One number short of Jackpot

Michael Duval claims $30,000 Prize

A northern Iowa man was one number away from winning the Dec. 17 Hot Lotto jackpot and ended up winning $30,000.
Michael Duval, Joice, matched the first five numbers, but missed the Hot Ball in that drawing to win a $30,000 prize. But the 73-year-old said he also had the correct Hot Ball number on another play on the same ticket, which netted him an additional $2 prize and would’ve won the jackpot if it was part of his other winning play.
“The only problem was that ‘No. 4’ was the Hot Ball and it was on the next line. I tried to move it, but it wouldn’t move,” Duval jokingly told lottery employees Wednesday as he claimed his prize at the lottery’s regional office in Mason City.
The winning numbers in the Dec. 17, $2.55 million jackpot drawing were: 6-9-18-20-36 and Hot Ball 4. The game has an all-cash jackpot with withholding taxes paid, meaning that if the advertised jackpot is $2.7 million, the winner will receive a one-time, lump-sum payment for that full amount.
Duval, who is retired from the U.S. government, said he’s a loyal Hot Lotto player and plays his own set of numbers in each drawing, plus an additional set of easy pick numbers that the lottery terminal randomly chooses. It was an easy pick play that won the $30,000 prize for Duval this time.
He said he checked his ticket Sunday morning online and called his children in Colorado to share his good news with them.
Duval said he plans to save a majority of his winnings.
“I will turn my heat up a little bit for the winter,” he said.

Lake Mills Graphic

204 N. Mill Street
Lake Mills, IA 50450

Office Number: (641) 592-4222
Fax Number: (641) 592-6397

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