Arkansas man’s unlucky lottery ticket turns into $500k win

Winslow, Arkansas – Michael Koontz from Winslow, Arkansas, transformed a previously unsuccessful lottery experience into a half-million-dollar triumph. Despite initially losing $20 on a scratch-off ticket, Koontz won a staggering $500,000 through the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery’s Play It Again drawing held on October 26th.

Koontz’s winning entry originated from the ‘$1,000,000 Riches’ instant game ticket. This particular ticket was selected randomly from a pool of eligible entries, which consisted of non-winning instant scratch-off tickets submitted by players. The news of his win reached him on the same day as the drawing.

Skeptical at first, Koontz recalled receiving a call from the lottery officials informing him of his win. His initial reaction was one of disbelief, as he thought it might be a scam. The first person he shared this news with was his wife, who was equally cautious. To verify the authenticity of the claim, she checked The Club website to see if Koontz’s name was listed as a winner. Still needing assurance, she went a step further and contacted the Arkansas Lottery directly to confirm the win.

With his unexpected windfall, Koontz has plans to pay off bills and indulge in a well-deserved vacation. This stroke of luck serves as a reminder of the surprising twists that can occur in life, turning a moment of loss into a substantial gain. Koontz’s story is not just about winning a significant amount of money; it’s a testament to the fact that sometimes, second chances can lead to remarkable outcomes.