(Clive, Iowa) A Polk County man tried to keep his $500,000 lottery prize a secret for at least a while.
Ronald Tate of Runnells said he immediately met up with friends at a local watering hole after scratching his winning “$500,000 CA$H” ticket.
“I had the ticket, and I showed them, and I said, ‘Now if I show you this, don’t tell anybody,'” said Ronald Tate of Runnells.
Tate’s secret is now out. Tate, 71, bought his winning ticket at Casey’s, 6301 SE 116th St. in Runnells, and claimed his prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Clive.
Tate is retired and said he is still deciding what to do with his winnings. Whatever he decides, his prize will improve the lives of himself and his two grown daughters.
“It means I don’t have to worry about anything,” Tate said. “I’m old enough now that some will be left over for the girls. That’s all I care about.”
Tate won the final top prize of $500,000 CASH. Once the final top prize in a scratch game is claimed, distribution ends, and the game is pulled from shelves. For more information about Iowa Lottery scratch games, visit ialottery.com.
