(Pierre) –  Sharon Patton of Hot Springs ended the year on a high note as the state’s newest Dakota Cash winner, winning Wednesday night’s jackpot of $266,236. The Dakota Cash jackpot had not been hit since last July. Her win is the fourth largest in the game’s 12-year history.

“It is just way too exciting,” Patton said from the Rapid City redemption center where she claimed her prize. “It’s like a dream come true.” The 61 year old great-grandmother said she regularly purchases lotto ticket for each drawing. She discovered she was a winner when a co-worker looked up the winning numbers in the morning paper. “When I saw the numbers, I sure did a double take.”

Patton said the news of her win spread quickly. “I think half the people in Hot Springs know already.” She hopes to use her prize to put a down payment on a house and to help out family members. Patton is the 96th player to win the Dakota Cash jackpot.

Patton purchased her ticket, a quick pick, at Sonny’s Super Foods in Hot Springs. The store will receive a $5,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.