An Abilene man wins a $10,000 lottery prize.

According to the Kansas Lottery, David Martinitz says he has been playing lottery games since the first “Up and Away” tickets went on sale back in 1987. And after what happened to him this week, Martinitz says, “I’m going to keep on playing!”

The 48-year-old Abilene man was all smiles when arrived at Lottery headquarters in Topeka this week. He was here to claim a $10,000 top prize on an instant scratch ticket.

“I bought two $2 Red, Wild & Blue tickets and one $2 Money Multiplier while I was visiting Beloit,” Martinitz explained. “I didn’t win on the first two, but the third one was a different story. I was shocked when I scratched off a $10,000 prize on the Money Multiplier ticket. I think I even screamed out loud.”

Martinitz was still in the store, so he had a store clerk check the ticket just to be sure he wasn’t seeing things. She verified his win and told him he would need to claim his prize at a Lottery office.

“I’ve been unemployed since January,” Martinitz told Lottery officials. “I’m going to use the prize money to get caught up on bills. I’m really happy I won this.”

Martinitz purchased the lucky Money Multiplier ticket at Pump Mart, located at 120 W. 8th St. in Beloit.