News Release

Winning $500,000 Lottery Prize is No Joke for South St. Paul Man

MARCH 6, 2008 — A South St. Paul man was the first player to win a $500,000 prize from the Lottery’s first-ever $20 scratch game.

After discovering the win last night, Adam Schneider arrived at the Lottery’s headquarters in Roseville this morning to claim the half a million dollar top prize from the $500,000 Spectacular scratch game.

“I thought it was a joke,” recalled Schneider as he scratched the ticket at a bowling alley. “I had to ask the waitresses if the numbers really did match.” After the waitresses looked over the ticket and agreed that it appeared to be a $500,000 winner, Schneider still wasn’t convinced. He decided to go to the nearest convenience store to have the ticket scanned, where the sales clerk verified his win. That’s when Schneider began to realize that this was no joke.

Schneider said, “This [money] comes at a good time for us [he and his fiancée, Jill].” He plans on paying off his student loans and putting some money towards his upcoming wedding.

Pro Pharmacy II, Inc., located at 102 – 5th Ave. S. in South St. Paul sold the winning ticket. 

$500,000 Spectacular is a $20 Scratch Game that offers players a chance to win a spectacular $500,000 top prize. Three of four $500,000 prizes remain in the game. The overall odds of winning a prize are 1 in 3.02.  

Lottery players must be 18 years of age or older. Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know needs help with a gambling problem, call (800) 333-HOPE.