News Release

Waseca Man Has a Spectacular Day After Winning $500,000 Lottery Prize

APRIL 3, 2008 — Wednesday, April 2 was a spectacular day for Jeff Root. The Waseca resident won $500,000 playing the $500,000 Spectacular scratch game!

Root said he purchased some Lottery tickets at Casey’s General Store, 1109 N. State St. in Waseca before heading to work on Wednesday. He scratched the tickets in his car later that morning. After Root matched three moon symbols on one of the tickets to win the $500,000 prize, he said, “I had to look at it 10 times!

“I walked back into work, put the ticket on the counter and said, ‘Look at this!’” Root recalled. “They didn’t believe it when I told them it was a $500,000 winner. I said ‘I’m taking the rest of the day off!’” Root drove to Lottery headquarters in Roseville to claim his prize.

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

Each $20 ticket contains six games to play for 19 chances to win up to $500,000! To play, simply scratch the play areas. Start your roller coaster ride by matching Your Numbers to the Explosion Numbers to win the prize shown for that number. Then, play a game of tic-tac-toe — match 3 Xs or Os in a single row, column or diagonal line to win a prize. Reveal a “$$$” symbol and win triple the prize shown. Follow that up by a trip to the Prize Box where three of the same symbols win. Then it’s back to the vertigo of the roller coaster for Lucky Number, where you can win, double or triple your prize. Slow it down with a couple of quick spots to bring your ride to a gentle end: Get a “$” symbol to win $100 instantly, or reveal a “dollar stack” symbol to win an instant $50!

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.

For Scratch and Online games information, winning numbers, unclaimed prizes, and lots more, you can call our Player Hotline 651-634-1111 or browse this Web site.

This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling (651) 635-8273. TTY users should dial (651) 635-8268 or (800) 657-3833.