Publix Supermarkets Shine with Winning Streak in Florida's Fantasy 5

Luck seemed to favor one name on Sunday, October 5th, in Florida: Publix. Three winning tickets for the evening draw of the well-known Fantasy 5 game from the Florida Lottery were sold at Publix supermarket stores. Two of these were located in the southern region of the state, while the third was in Lakeland, the central Florida city where the company's headquarters are based.

Though the prizes didn’t reach the million-dollar mark, each ticket brought an unexpected windfall of over $32,000 to their fortunate owners. Unlike other lotteries that spread their winnings across various establishments and regions, this particular evening draw had a unique twist: all three winning tickets originated exclusively from Publix stores.

This unusual coincidence caught the attention of regular players, many of whom speculated whether the chain was experiencing a stroke of extraordinary luck. The winning numbers for the Fantasy 5 evening draw were 06, 11, 15, 20, and 32. Each ticket hit the exact combination, securing a prize of $32,680.82, as confirmed by the Florida Lottery.

Where the Winning Tickets Were Sold

The three lucky Publix stores that sold the winning tickets were:

• Publix at 555 NE Fifth Avenue, Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, with a quick pick ticket.
• Publix at 18496 NW 67th Avenue, Miami, in the Country Club of Miami area, also a quick pick.
• Publix on Griffin Road, Lakeland, home to the chain's corporate offices.

With these results, Publix completed an unusual "hat trick," dominating the day's top prize distribution for both the Fantasy 5 and Cash4Life draws.

Claiming Your Prize

For the fortunate winners, the path to claiming their winnings is clear but subject to specific rules. According to the Florida Lottery, Fantasy 5 prizes exceeding $600 must be claimed in person at a district office.

In South Florida, winners have two primary options:

• Miami Office: Located at 14621 Oak Ln., Miami Lakes, open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Reachable at 305-364-3080 or via email at MIARC@flalottery.com.
• Palm Beach Office: At 4360 Forest Hill Blvd., Palm Springs, with the same hours, contactable at 561-640-6190 and WPBRC@flalottery.com.

No appointment is necessary, though it is recommended to expedite the process. Prizes of up to $250,000 can also be claimed by mail, provided the ticket and necessary documentation are sent.

Public Disclosure Requirements

Florida maintains a strict policy of transparency regarding lottery winnings. By law, anyone claiming a prize will be publicly recorded, which means their full name, city of residence, amount won, draw date, game type, and the store where the ticket was purchased will be disclosed. This measure aims to ensure trust in the system, though it has sparked debate among winners who prefer anonymity.

The Lottery's Impact on Education

Beyond dreams of wealth and winning tickets, the Florida Lottery has become a critical funding source for the state's educational system. Since its inception in 1988, it has transferred over $49 billion to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF), based on data updated in July 2025.

Roughly 25 cents of every dollar from ticket sales are directed to this fund. Moreover, if a prize isn’t claimed within the 180-day period, 80% of that amount is automatically transferred to the EETF, further boosting its impact.

The funds are allocated at different levels of the educational system:

• More than $17 billion has been invested in public schools (preschool, elementary, and secondary).
• Approximately $12 billion has been channeled to state colleges and universities.
• About $9.2 million has been dedicated to the Bright Futures scholarship program, which has supported over a million students since 1997.

Bright Futures has established itself as a central tool for accessing higher education in Florida. It covers partial or full tuition based on a student's academic performance, and recently, the Medallion component offers full coverage for those opting to study at state colleges.

How to Play the Florida Lottery

Florida Lottery tickets can be purchased at thousands of authorized locations, including supermarkets, gas stations, and convenience stores. To find the nearest one, simply visit the official Lottery website.

Among the most popular games, aside from Fantasy 5, are:

• Powerball: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 p.m.
• Mega Millions: Tuesdays and Fridays at 11:00 p.m.
• Florida Lotto: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:15 p.m.
• Cash4Life: Daily at 9:00 p.m.
• Cash Pop and Pick 2, 3, 4, and 5: Daily draws at various times.

Fantasy 5, where the Publix tickets won, is drawn every day at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. To participate, players select five numbers from 1 to 36, or they can opt for a quick pick, as was the case with two of the winning tickets.