TALLAHASSEE, FL (352today.com) – A Lady Lake man has a lot to be thankful for this holiday season after winning$1 million from a scratch-off game.
Florida Lottery officials say 55-year-old Andrew Smith claimed his $1 million prize at the Lottery’s Gainesville district office after winning the SPECTACULAR Scratch-off game. They say he chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $640,000.
His ticket was purchased from a Winn-Dixie located at 820 Old Camp Road in The Villages. The store receives a $2,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
$1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR is a $50 scratch-off game that launched last February. It features two top prizes of $1 million a year for life and 234 prizes of $1 million. The odds of winning the game are 1-in-4.50.
According to the lottery’s website, a portion of every Florida Lottery ticket goes to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF). Florida lawmakers then work with the Florida Department of Education to determine how the funds will be distributed. Florida Lottery officials say Scratch-Off games have brought in more than $18.39 billion for the EETF.