At a Glance
- Navy veteran Jaime Zavala claimed a $3 million Mega Millions prize in Iowa
- His ticket matched the first five numbers but missed the Mega Ball in the Veterans Day drawing
- Zavala plans to pay off his mortgage and replace his 10-year-old pickup truck with over 250,000 miles
- Why it matters: The win highlights how close players can come to life-changing jackpots while still securing substantial prizes
A Navy veteran from central Iowa has turned a routine convenience store stop into a $3 million lottery windfall. Jaime Zavala claimed his Mega Millions prize on January 13, coming within one number of winning the massive $900 million jackpot.
The Winning Ticket
Zavala purchased his lucky ticket at the Kwik Star convenience store located at 1200 Chatham Ave. in Norwalk, Iowa. The ticket was bought for the Veterans Day drawing, adding special meaning to the veteran’s big win.
According to Iowa Lottery officials, Zavala’s ticket successfully matched the first five numbers in the Mega Millions drawing. This impressive feat put him just one number away from claiming the enormous $900 million jackpot that had captured national attention.
The $3 million prize represents one of the largest secondary prizes available in the Mega Millions game. Zavala’s win placed him among an elite group – he became one of only three people nationwide to score a prize of $3 million or more in that particular drawing.
Plans for the Prize
When speaking with lottery officials about his plans for the winnings, Zavala kept his goals practical and grounded. He identified two primary uses for his newfound fortune:
- Paying off his mortgage to achieve financial freedom
- Upgrading his 10-year-old pickup truck, which has accumulated over 250,000 miles
This straightforward approach to sudden wealth reflects a common pattern among lottery winners who choose to address immediate financial obligations and improve their daily quality of life rather than making extravagant purchases.
The Mega Millions Game Mechanics
Understanding how Zavala achieved his $3 million win requires knowledge of the Mega Millions structure. Players select their first five numbers from a pool of 70 possible numbers. After choosing these five numbers, they then select the Mega Ball from a separate pool of 24 numbers.
The game also incorporates a multiplier feature that can significantly boost non-jackpot prizes. This multiplier can increase secondary prizes by up to 10 times the base amount, though the specific multiplier for Zavala’s drawing wasn’t detailed in the initial report.
Matching five numbers without the Mega Ball typically results in a $1 million prize. However, various factors including the multiplier and specific drawing rules can increase this amount, explaining how Zavala’s prize reached $3 million.
Recent Mega Million History
Zavala’s win occurred against the backdrop of other significant Mega Millions victories. Just days before his claim, another player who chose to remain anonymous came forward to collect an even more substantial prize.
This anonymous winner had claimed the $983 million Mega Millions jackpot two months prior to Zavala’s win. After selecting the cash option, this winner received approximately $452.6 million before taxes, according to a press release from the Georgia Lottery.
Gretchen Corbin, President and CEO of the Georgia Lottery Corp., celebrated this historic win in an official statement: “We are thrilled to celebrate Georgia’s record-breaking jackpot winner and their life-changing start to the new year. This historic jackpot was also significant for Georgia’s students, families and communities who benefit from HOPE and Pre-K.”
The Georgia winner revealed they decided to purchase a ticket after seeing a billboard advertising the massive jackpot. They shared that they are from Georgia and have family members who have benefited from the Georgia Lottery-funded HOPE Scholarship program.
Looking toward the future, this winner expressed intentions to make their prize “generational” while also committing to “give back to good causes.”
The Claim Process
Zavala collected his prize from the Iowa Lottery’s main office in Clive on Tuesday, January 13. The process for claiming such substantial prizes involves verification procedures to ensure the ticket’s authenticity and the winner’s identity.
Lottery officials conduct thorough checks before releasing funds, including examining the physical ticket, verifying purchase location and time, and completing necessary tax documentation. Winners of prizes this size typically receive guidance about financial planning and the option to remain anonymous in states where permitted.
Impact on Local Community
The Kwik Star convenience store that sold the winning ticket also benefits from the sale. Lottery retailers typically receive bonuses for selling winning tickets, creating additional incentive for stores to participate in lottery sales.
These retailer bonuses can range from several thousand dollars to significant five-figure amounts depending on the prize size and state regulations. The specific bonus amount for the Norwalk Kwik Star location wasn’t disclosed in the initial reporting.
Responsible Gaming Reminder
The lottery system encourages responsible play and provides resources for those who may develop gambling problems. The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network offers support at 1-800-522-4700, with additional resources available at gamtalk.org.
These resources become particularly relevant during periods of massive jackpots when lottery participation increases significantly across the country.
Key Takeaways
- A Navy veteran from Iowa won $3 million in the Mega Millions lottery
- The ticket was purchased at Kwik Star in Norwalk for the Veterans Day drawing
- The winner plans practical uses for the money: mortgage payoff and vehicle replacement
- Recent Mega Millions history includes both massive jackpots and significant secondary prizes
- Lottery officials emphasize responsible gaming practices and provide support resources
The story demonstrates how lottery games can create life-changing moments for winners at various prize levels, not just through jackpot victories. For Jaime Zavala, what began as a routine ticket purchase transformed into financial security and the ability to upgrade essential aspects of his daily life.
