A Missouri Lottery player who uncovered a $50,000 prize on a “Cosmic Crossword” Scratchers ticket purchased at Amerimart, 865 N. Kingshighway St. in Cape Girardeau, has his girlfriend to thank for the win.

“My girlfriend loves to play Scratchers tickets,” he explained. “She always liked to play that game so I gave it a try.”

When asked how she reacted once she learned he’d won, he laughed and said, “She was surprised!”

The winner shared plans to use his winnings to purchase another vehicle and take the family on vacation.

Since the game began, players statewide have won more than $2.9 million in prizes in the “Cosmic Crossword” Scratchers game. To date, more than $10.4 million in prizes have yet to be claimed on the $3 ticket – including six additional $50,000 top prizes.

In FY25, Cape Girardeau County players won more than $10.2 million in Missouri Lottery prizes, retailers received more than $1 million in commissions and bonuses, and more than $7.7 million in Lottery proceeds went to education programs in the county.