Iowa man wins $10,000 in the Colossal Crossword scratch game

David Kruger, a 47-year-old resident of Charles City, Iowa, has won $10,000 in the Iowa Lottery's "Colossal Crossword" scratch game. Kruger bought his lucky ticket at the Kwik Star on Gilbert Street in Charles City.

Kruger said that he decided to buy the ticket after seeing another person buy one. "A gentleman bought one of the tickets before me, and I'm like, 'What the hay? I'll buy the next one,'" he said.

The "Colossal Crossword" game is a $30 scratch game that features 19 top prizes of $300,000, 56 prizes of $10,000, and overall odds of 1 in 2.29. Kruger's win marks the 50th prize of $10,000 that has been claimed in the game.

Kruger said that winning the prize was a "sigh of relief" for him, as he is scheduled to undergo hip replacement surgery in June. He claimed his prize on Monday at the Iowa Lottery's Mason City regional office.

The Iowa Lottery reminds players to play responsibly and to check their tickets carefully to avoid missing out on a win. Who knows, the next big winner could be just around the corner.