Winning the lottery is the ultimate "what if" game. We all do it. You’re sitting at a red light, staring at a gas station sign, and you start mentally spending millions. For one incredibly lucky person in South Dakota recently, those daydreams actually turned into a bank balance.
Where was the winning lotto america ticket sold this time? It wasn't some massive metropolitan hub or a famous landmark. It was a Freedom Valu Center in Vermillion, South Dakota.
Seriously. A local convenience store.
The Vermillion Victory
On August 6, 2025, the Lotto America drawing spit out a series of numbers that changed everything for a local player. The winning digits—26, 29, 30, 33, 40 and the Star Ball 1—matched a ticket sitting right there in Vermillion. It was worth an estimated $4.01 million.
The winner eventually came forward but chose to keep things quiet. They opted for the cash value of $1.82 million. Honestly, after taxes, it’s still more than enough to change a life forever. The store owner didn't walk away empty-handed either. Freedom Valu Center bagged a $10,000 retailer bonus just for being the place where lightning struck.
Tennessee’s Massive Summer Score
If you think $4 million is a lot, Tennessee took things to a whole different level just a few months prior. In June 2025, a ticket sold in Spring Hill, Tennessee, hit for a staggering $37.37 million.
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This wasn't just a win; it was the second-largest jackpot in the history of the game.
The winner in that case used a trust to claim the prize, which is a smart move if you want to avoid everyone you’ve ever met asking for a "small loan." They took the cash option of $16.8 million. Imagine walking into a store in Spring Hill and walking out with a piece of paper worth that much. It’s wild.
Why Lotto America is the "Quiet" Giant
Everyone talks about Powerball and Mega Millions because their jackpots look like phone numbers. But Lotto America is kinda the sweet spot for regular players.
The odds of winning the Lotto America jackpot are roughly 1 in 26 million. Compare that to the nearly 1 in 292 million odds for Powerball. You’ve basically got a 10 times better chance of hitting the big one here. That’s exactly why Earl Lape, the record-holder for the game, played it.
Earl’s story is probably the most famous one in the game’s history. On April 1, 2023, he bought a ticket at Eichman’s, a restaurant and convenience store in Dubuque, Iowa.
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He won $40.03 million.
Because it was April Fools’ Day, he thought his buddies were messing with him. He even checked the ticket at the store and the clerk just smiled and said, "You are the winner." Earl, a retired mechanic, used a big chunk of that money to help children’s hospitals. A total class act.
Notable Recent Winning Locations
If you're looking for where the luck has been concentrated lately, it's spread across the heartland.
- Vermillion, South Dakota: Freedom Valu Center (August 2025)
- Spring Hill, Tennessee: (June 2025)
- Roseville, Minnesota: Cub Foods (January 2024 - a $3.73 million win)
- Dubuque, Iowa: Eichman’s (The $40.03 million record-breaker)
The Roseville win was particularly cool. The guy won $2 on a previous ticket, decided to "reinvest" it by buying two more, and one of those hit the jackpot. Talk about a return on investment.
What to Do If Your Store Is Next
Let's say you check your ticket and see you've matched the Star Ball and all the main numbers. First off, breathe.
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Then, sign the back of that ticket immediately. It's a "bearer instrument," which is a fancy way of saying whoever holds it, owns it. If you lose an unsigned winning ticket, you're out of luck.
Most experts, including those from the Multi-State Lottery Association, suggest putting the ticket in a safe deposit box and calling a financial advisor before you ever step foot in a lottery office. You usually have between 90 days and a year to claim it, depending on the state. Use that time to get your ducks in a row.
Actionable Next Steps for Players
If you’re chasing the next jackpot, which is currently climbing again, keep these three things in mind.
First, check the "All Star Bonus" option. It costs an extra dollar but can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to five times.
Second, check your state's rules on anonymity. States like Delaware and Mississippi allow you to stay private, but others might require your name to be public. If you win big, you might want to consider moving your "public" life to a trust.
Lastly, play for the right reasons. Lotto America is a game of chance, and while someone has to win, the odds are always against you. Only spend what you’re comfortable losing.
Keep an eye on the official results through your state’s lottery app. It’s the fastest way to see if your local corner store is the next one making headlines.