RUNNELLS, Iowa — Even though 71-year-old Ronald Tate of Runnells wanted to keep his $500,000 lottery win private, the secret is now out.
The retiree won the top prize of the $500,000 CA$H game. Tate said he went to meet up with friends at a "local watering hole" to show them the ticket.
"I had the ticket and I showed them, and I said, 'Now if I show you this, don't tell anybody,'" Tate told the Iowa Lottery.
Tate bought the winning ticket at his Casey's located at 6301 SE 116th St. in Runnells and cashed the ticket at Iowa Lottery headquarters Wednesday.
Tate wasn't quite sure how he'd utilize his winnings since he is already retired, but wants to make life better for both him and his adult daughters.
"It means I don't have to worry about anything," Tate said. "I'm old enough now that there will be some left over for the girls. That's all I care about."
Since Tate won the final top prize for the $500,000 CA$H game, the Iowa Lottery said the rest of the game's tickets will be pulled from shelves and its distribution will end.
