Initially, Earl Lapp, a 61-year-old retired mechanic from Dubuque, Iowa, and the latest winner of the $40 million jackpot, couldn’t believe he had won the lottery. After all, he bought the ticket on April 1st.
“I thought it was a joke,” Lapp said. It wasn’t until he confirmed his Lotto America ticket with an Iowa Lottery official that he was convinced he had won the big prize. “I was laughing, I thought it was April Fools’,” Lapp said after claiming his prize at Lotto headquarters in Clive. Lapp chose to take his winnings in cash, which for the lottery was $21.28 million.
The $40 million prize is for those who take their winnings in an annual annuity within 29 years. “Lotto America” is played in 13 countries and offers smaller prizes than the “Powerball” and “Mega Millions” games. But he also has much better chances: 1 in 26 million, to win the jackpot. Lapp said he intends to use the money to help his family and also donate to benefit children with medical problems.