Arkansas lottery names 2 $100,000 winners, including group of 29 friends

The state lottery Wednesday named two winners of $100,000, including a group of 29 friends who has been buying tickets together for several years.

In a news release, officials said "The Better Life Lottery Group" purchases 29 Quick Picks for the Powerball and Mega Millions games every week.

The big-earning Powerball ticket was bought Nov. 21, according to Keith Hanscom of Malvern, who represented the group to claim the prize. No one looked at the tickets — Hanscom makes copies for all participants — until Monday because everyone was off for the Thanksgiving holiday, he told lottery officials.

"It was very exciting to win," he was quoted as saying, adding that everyone is "excited to have some extra Christmas money."

The ticket was reportedly purchased at Discount Tobacco, 1601 U.S. 270 in Malvern.

An Earle woman also won $100,00 in a different game, according to lottery officials.

Rhonda Lenoir won off a $5 Bank On It scratch-off ticket she purchased from Parkin Food Mart, the organization said Wednesday.

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