News writer, Interviewer
After six long years, South Dakota breaks its jackpot drought. A lucky player in Vermillion just claimed the state's first multi-state jackpot since 2018.
$4 million Lotto America win changes everything
Wednesday's Lotto America drawing delivered an estimated $4,010,000 jackpot winner. The golden ticket was purchased at Freedom Valu Center in Vermillion. The retailer also scores a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The winning numbers were 26, 29, 30, 33, 40 with Star Ball 1. This marks South Dakota's first jackpot winner under Lotto America's current format, launched in November 2017. Lottery Executive Director Norm Lingle stated:
This is an exciting time for the South Dakota Lottery, our players, and our retail partners. We want to congratulate our winner but also stress the importance of taking the proper steps to fully enjoy their jackpot dreams.
Cash or payments? The winner's choice
The lucky winner faces a crucial decision. Take a one-time cash payment of $1,820,000 or choose 30 graduated annuity payments over 29 years. Federal income taxes will be withheld either way.
What would you choose? The immediate windfall or the steady income stream?
Don't wait – claim your prize
The South Dakota Lottery offers clear advice for the winner. Sign the ticket's back immediately. Speak to a financial adviser before claiming the prize. Players have 180 days from the drawing date to claim their winnings.
Winners can claim prizes at any South Dakota Lottery redemption center.
Where does lottery money go?
South Dakota's lottery revenue supports education and infrastructure. The state's General Fund receives 70 percent of net revenue from Lotto America. This fund supports K-12 schools, state universities, and technical institutes.
The remaining 30 percent goes to the Capital Construction Fund. This supports the Water and Environment Fund, Ethanol Fuel Fund, and State Highway Fund.
How to claim your prize
Prizes of $101 or more require a state lottery payment. You can claim in person or by mail. Prizes from $101 to $5,000 can also be claimed through the mobile app.
For in-person claims, visit validation centers in Pierre, Rapid City, or Sioux Falls.
Required steps:
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Sign the ticket's back.
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Fill out a claim form from your local retailer or use the online form.
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Send the completed form and ticket to: 711 E. Wells Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501.
Prize money arrives in 7-10 days.
Special jackpot requirements
Jackpot winners face stricter rules. Dakota Cash or Lotto America jackpot tickets must be presented in person at a lottery office. The same applies to Lucky for Life top prizes and Powerball or Mega Millions second prizes.
Can you stay anonymous? Yes. South Dakota honors anonymity requests from prize winners. However, the lottery will release the retailer's name, game name, and prize amount.
Winner information stays private unless the winner opts into advertising. But open records requests can force disclosure of the winner's name, city, state, game, and prize amount per state law SDCL 42-7A-50.1.
Lotto prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. Miss this deadline? You lose everything.
Scratch ticket prizes follow the same 180-day rule, but from the game's announced end date. Check the active games list to verify your ticket's status.
The drought is over
Six years without a multi-state jackpot winner. Now South Dakota joins the winner's circle again. Will this spark more lottery interest across the state?
The next drawing awaits. Who knows? The next winner might be reading this right now.
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