Topeka Resident Turns $15 Cash Prize into $30,000 Top Prize

When Judy Knable won $15 playing the Kansas Lottery's $5 Birthday Bash instant scratch game Friday night, she never imagined that win would lead her to a $30,000 top prize the very next day! 

"After winning $15 Friday night, I decided to stop by Kwik Shop the next morning before I went to work to cash in the ticket," said Knable.  "When the store clerk validated the ticket, she asked me if I wanted three more tickets or $15 in cash.  I decided to go ahead and get three more of the Birthday Bash tickets since I had luck playing it." 

The 59-year-old was thrilled she decided to exchange her $15 win for more tickets after she won a $30,000 top prize! 

"After getting the three Birthday Bash tickets, I went to work and scratched them," said Knable.  "When I scratched the second one, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.  I'd won $30,000!  If the store clerk hadn't asked me if I wanted more tickets, I would have taken the $15 in cash, and I wouldn't have won.  I had the most nerve-wracking weekend I've ever had.  Where do you put a $30,000 winning ticket?  I was in panic mode. After signing the back of the ticket, I put it in my purse and didn't let it out of my sight." 

Knable and her husband Derrek, who have been married four years, said they plan to pay off their credit cards with the winnings. She purchased the winning ticket at Kwik Shop 713, located at 5700 SW 21^st St. in Topeka. 

There are three $30,000 top prizes remaining in the $5 Birthday Bash game as well as thousands of other cash prizes. Kansas Lottery PlayOn Players Loyalty program members can also submit non-winning Birthday Bash instant scratch tickets for a chance to win great prizes in two remaining Birthday Bash second-chance drawings.  

TO VIEW VIDEO OF THE LUCKY WINNER, CLICK HERE: Judy Knable