Edwardsville Resident Hits a "Ringer" Worth $10,000
After working a 14-hour shift at Stix Restaurant yesterday,
Dustin Demato decided to wind down his long day by playing a few
Kansas Lottery instant scratch tickets. The Edwardsville
resident purchased three $1 instant scratch games and at the last
minute, decided to try his luck playing a $2 Lucky Horseshoes
instant scratch ticket. Much to his surprise, Demato threw a
"ringer," winning a $10,000 top prize playing the game.
"I buy scratch tickets about twice a week, but I had never
played the Lucky Horseshoes game before," said Demato. "After
buying the $1 tickets and a few other things at the store, I had $2
left, so I gave the game a try."
After making his purchases, Demato played his tickets while
visiting with friend and store clerk, "Lucky Ducky" Russell.
"It was getting close to midnight and the store was getting
ready to close when I realized how much I had won," said
Demato. "I literally stared at my ticket for at least five
minutes before it sank in how much I had won."
"He was acting strange, so I asked him what was going on," said
Russell, who accompanied Demato to Lottery headquarters in Topeka
to claim his prize. "When he told me he had just won $10,000,
I was glad to see lightning strike again. I've sold a lot of
winners to players. They've given me the nickname Lucky Ducky
because of it."
After returning home, Demato decided to sleep with his winning
ticket underneath his pillow for safe keeping.
"My adrenaline was pretty high after winning, so it was around 3
a.m. when I finally fell asleep with the ticket under my pillow,"
said Demato.
Demato, who has a one-year-old son, plans to start a college
fund with his winnings and help his parents, who have been
struggling financially due to illnesses.
The winning ticket was purchased M S Petroleum, located at 10421
Kaw Dr. in Edwardsville.