Man's $100K Lottery Win Turns Out to Be Just $20 Due to Error

WHO:

Yahoo - Mike Fields, an Indiana man, believed he won a lottery prize.

The Independent - Glendon Jones, another Indiana resident, also believed he won a lottery prize.

WHAT:

Yahoo - Fields thought he won $100,000 on a Space Invaders Cash Invasion scratch-off ticket.

The Independent - Fields was informed that his actual prize was only $20 due to a technical issue.

The Independent - The Hoosier Lottery halted the sale of the $5 Space Invaders Cash Invasion scratch-off game after reports of issues.

The Independent - Fields was told he would be informed by mail within 30 days regarding the lottery's decision.

WHERE:

Yahoo - The Hoosier Lottery office is located at 1302 N. Meridian Street in downtown Indianapolis.

The Independent - The Hoosier Lottery headquarters is in Indianapolis.

WHEN:

The Independent - The Space Invaders Cash Invasion scratch-off game launched in May.

The Independent - The game is scheduled to relaunch on June 16, 2026.

The Independent - Players must submit protest forms and tickets no later than November 30, 2026.

WHY:

Yahoo - A reported lottery glitch affected the processing of the prize.

The Independent - The Hoosier Lottery stated that the ticket's printed symbols did not match the game's official validation records.

HOW:

Yahoo - Fields scanned the ticket and initially thought he had won the jackpot.

The Independent - Lottery officials advised players to submit protest forms and the scratchers in question for review.

(UPDATED June 14, 2026 19:23 UTC)

In Indiana, two residents, Mike Fields and Glendon Jones, both believed they had won lottery prizes, with Fields thinking he hit the jackpot on a Space Invaders Cash Invasion scratch-off ticket for $100,000. However, he was later informed that a technical issue meant his actual prize was only $20, prompting the Hoosier Lottery to halt sales of the game, which is set to relaunch on June 16, 2026. Players who wish to contest their winnings must submit protest forms and tickets by November 30, 2026, as officials investigate a reported glitch that affected prize processing.