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Illinois Grandfather Wins $200,000 Scratch-Off Prize After First Choice Sold Out

August 26th, 2025

Photo caption: Clarence Neuenkirchen of Montgomery, IL is all smiles after winning the $200,000 grand prize on the Illinois Lottery’s 7X Bingo Multiplier specialty ticket. 100% of profits from specialty tickets go toward good causes in Illinois.

CHICAGO, August 26, 2025 — A quick stop at Jewel-Osco turned into a life-changing moment for Clarence Neuenkirchen of Montgomery, IL, who won the $200,000 grand prize playing the Illinois Lottery’s 7X Bingo Multiplier scratch-off ticket.

“I was hoping to buy my favorite $5 Crossword ticket, but it was sold out,” said Neuenkirchen. “7X Bingo Multiplier is my second favorite—it feels like a little escape. I can take my time playing it.”

He purchased the winning ticket at the Jewel-Osco located at 3795 Orchard Road in Oswego. The store will receive a $2,000 bonus, 1% of the prize amount, for selling the winning ticket.

Neuenkirchen, a grandfather, shared the news immediately with his wife. “I honestly thought she was going to break the floor—she kept jumping up and down!” he laughed. 

Despite the excitement, he admitted the reality of the win still hasn’t sunk in. “Maybe once the money is in our account, it’ll finally feel real.”

The winner plans to invest in his retirement and set up education funds for his grandchildren. “The older ones will get a nice check,” he said with a smile. 

As for a well-earned indulgence, he and his wife already have plans: “We’re excited about a cruise in the Gulf and maybe even travel to France.”

When people play the Illinois Lottery, they help fund a brighter future for the State. Approximately 99% of all lottery proceeds go directly to the Common School Fund, which supports K-12 education funding in Illinois. In addition, 100% of the profits from the 7X Bingo Multiplier specialty scratch ticket go toward the following good causes across Illinois:

  • Alzheimer’s support programs
  • Breast cancer research and support services
  • HIV/AIDS education and research programs
  • Homelessness prevention and assistance programs
  • IL Dream Fund Commission scholarships
  • Multiple Sclerosis research 
  • Police Memorials support programs
  • Special Olympics Illinois athletes
  • The United Negro College Fund scholarships
  • Veterans’ support programs

Since 1985, the Illinois Lottery has contributed more than $25 billion in revenue to educational funding and other good causes statewide.

The Illinois Lottery currently offers a range of Instant Ticket games priced from $1 to $50, available at approximately 7,000 retail locations across Illinois.

Instant Ticket b-roll, available for use by the media, download here.

Play with Purpose b-roll, available for use by the media, download here.

Be Smart, Play Smart®. Must be 18 or older to play. Game odds available at IllinoisLottery.com.

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About the Illinois Lottery
The Illinois Lottery, founded in 1974, has contributed over $25 billion to the State’s Common School Fund in support of K-12 public education in Illinois since 1985. The Common School Fund is the Illinois Lottery’s primary beneficiary, receiving nearly 99% of Illinois Lottery proceeds. The Illinois Lottery also supports various specialty causes as described in the Illinois Lottery Law (20 ILCS 1605/21.4). For more information about the Illinois Lottery and the causes we support, please visit IllinoisLottery.com.