Fortune smiled upon William Evans, a 52-year-old resident of Saint Augustine, Florida, who became a millionaire after winning a $1 million prize with a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket. According to the official Florida Lottery website, Evans claimed his prize at their headquarters in Tallahassee and chose to receive a lump-sum payment of $640,000.
"It changed my life," exclaimed the thrilled Evans as he received his check. Although he opted for the lump-sum payment, he emphasized that the most important aspect for him is the opportunity to help his family and live more comfortably.
The winning ticket was purchased at a Publix store located at 5415 N. Oceanshore Boulevard in Palm Coast. For selling the winning ticket, the store received a $2,000 commission.
The Game Behind the Win
The scratch-off game, named "$1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR," is a $50 ticket offering two grand prizes of $1 million per year for life, along with 234 prizes of $1 million. It boasts over $1.6 billion in cash prizes and provides an overall winning chance of 1 in 4.50.
Impact of Scratch-Off Games in Florida
Florida Lottery reports that scratch-off games account for approximately 74% of all ticket sales in the fiscal year 2023-2024. Since their inception, these games have awarded over $65.5 billion in prizes, created over 2,280 millionaires, and contributed more than $19.8 billion to the state's Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF).
Recently, Héctor Anaya Jr., a 27-year-old from Homestead, Florida, also hit it big with a $1 million win from the "$1,000,000 A Year For Life Spectacular" game. He claimed his prize in a lump sum of $640,000 before taxes at the Lottery's main office in Tallahassee, as reported by Local 10.
In another instance, Randy Villalpando, a 24-year-old from Miami-Dade County, won $1 million with a $50 scratch-off ticket from the "500X The Cash" game by the Florida Lottery. Villalpando chose a lump-sum payout of $640,000, as announced in a state lottery press release.
Earlier, luck favored another South Florida resident through the Fantasy 5 lottery, which has awarded thousands of dollars to players across the state.
Common Questions About Florida Lottery Wins
How much did William Evans receive after opting for the lump-sum payment?
William Evans chose a lump-sum payment and received $640,000.
What is the probability of winning in the $1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR game?
The overall probability of winning in the "$1,000,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE SPECTACULAR" game is 1 in 4.50.
What percentage of Florida Lottery ticket sales are accounted for by scratch-off games?
Scratch-off games represent approximately 74% of all Florida Lottery ticket sales for the fiscal year 2023-2024.