Iowa woman wins second $100,000 lottery prize in just over two years

Sept. 19 (UPI) -- An Iowa woman scored a $100,000 jackpot from a scratch-off lottery ticket just over two years after collecting the same amount from another game.

Mary Starks of Davenport told Iowa Lottery officials she usually plays crossword-themed lottery games, but the new Hit It Big! scratch-off ticket grabbed her attention during a recent trip to ExpressLane on Division Street in Davenport.

"You just think that you'll win a little bit -- maybe, $20, $30, $50, $100, you know? But not $100,000," Starks said. "You just buy the tickets for a little entertainment. And then when you scratch it off and get that amount of money? I don't know, it's exciting."

Starks previously won $100,000 from another scratch-off game in March 2020.

"It was exciting and kind of scary and unbelievable," Starks said of her latest win. "Really unbelievable to have it happen twice."

Starks said she plans to use her prize money to pay off debt and possibly start a new business.