TOPEKA, KAN. – Bernard “Chris” Schroeder has been a firefighter in Junction City for 20 years. He has been a player of Kansas Lottery games even longer than that. “I’ve been buying lottery tickets since right after high school,” said the 47-year-old. “My wife and I like to stop in the morning and pick up a few instant scratch tickets. Then I scratch mine over my lunch hour.”

Although he has won some $200 prizes, it’s Schroeder’s wife who has really been lucky. “I’m here today claiming a $10,000 prize on one of my wife’s $2 10X The Cash tickets. That’s the only game she plays,” said Schroeder. “She had to work today, so she asked me to come to Topeka to claim the prize.”

Schroder said he was happy to make the trip, especially since some of the prize money will be spent on another trip he and his wife have planned for later this summer. “We’re going to Las Vegas!” said Schroeder. In the meantime, Schroeder said he and his wife will continue to play Kansas Lottery instant scratch tickets every day. The Schroeders always purchase their tickets at Handy’s Express, located at 1734 W. Ash Street in Junction City.