Arkansas lottery winner waits months to claim $40,000 prize, says he wanted to finish writing book first

Edward Hamilton is shown in this photo released by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.
Edward Hamilton is shown in this photo released by the Arkansas Scholarship Lottery.

A central Arkansas man was in no hurry to pick up a $40,000 prize he won late last year because he wanted to finish the book he was writing first.

Arkansas Lottery officials said that Edward Hamilton of Jacksonville won $40,000 on a Mega Millions ticket five months ago. But it wasn’t until Wednesday that he claimed the prize.

“I wanted to get something done first,” Hamilton said in a statement released by the lottery. “I’m a writer and wanted to finish my non-fiction book before I claimed my prize.”

The statement didn't offer any additional details about the book.

Hamilton was one number short of claiming a $262 million jackpot after buying his ticket at a Kroger in Jacksonville ahead of the Dec. 14 drawing.

Winners have 180 days to claim a prize after a drawing for the game.

Hamilton said he plans to invest the money and also have a bit of fun.

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