22-year-old wins $1 million from Florida lottery scratch-off in ticket from Fort Myers Publix
A Fort Myers woman had a very good day.
The Florida Lottery announced Thursday that Salma Fajardo, 22, claimed a $1 million prize from the 500X the Cash scratch-off game at lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. She chose to take her winnings in a one-time, lump sum payment of $820,000.
Fajardo bought the ticket from Publix, 6700 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. The Publix will get a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.
The state is still rocking from the massive Mega Millions win this week, when a single Neptune Beach ticket won the $1.58 billion jackpot. That's both the largest one in Mega Millions history and the biggest single lottery ever won in Florida.
Here's what to know about the game.
How much does it cost to play 500x the Cash lottery?
The 500X the Cash game, launched in February last year, is the most expensive scratch-off game in Florida at $50 a ticket. But it also offers the largest amount ever in a Florida scratch-off game, and the best odds of becoming a millionaire.
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How much can I win in 500X the Cash?
The scratch-off game features two top prizes of $25 million, according to Florida Lottery's website. Players have a chance to win 5x to 500x (5 times, 10 times, 20 times, 50 times, 100 times or 500 times) the prize. If that appears on the ticket, players get the prize shown for that symbol.
How do you play 500x the Cash lottery scratch-offs?
Players try to scratch off numbers that match the winning numbers. The winning numbers reveal the prize.
If you get a moneybag symbol you can win double the prize amount shown. If any of the winning numbers match one or both of your bonus numbers, you win $500 instantly per bonus spot.
What to do if you win: Ultimate guide to the Florida Lottery, Powerball and Mega Millions
What are the odds for 500x the Cash?
The game's overall odds of winning are 1-in-4.5. The odds of winning the $25 million are 1-in-21,419,145. Two people have won the top prize so far, according to the Florida Lottery.
The odds of winning $1 million are 1-in-267,739. The odds of winning $100 are 1-in-5.
Can I buy Florida lottery tickets online?
No. Some states have this option via an app or website, but not the Florida Lottery. Tickets cannot be purchased by mail, fax or online. There are more than 13,000 authorized Florida Lottery retailers here, the site states.
When do Florida lottery tickets expire?
Scratch-off tickets and Fast Play game prizes "must be claimed within 60 days of the official end-of-game date," according to the Florida Lottery. "Once the applicable time period has elapsed, the related Florida Lottery ticket will expire."
What happens to the unclaimed prize money?
According to the Florida Lottery, state law requires 80% of unclaimed prize funds from expired tickets be transferred to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. The remaining 20% is returned to the prize pool for future drawings.
Can Florida lottery winners remain anonymous?
Not for long, sorry. But you get a head start.
By Florida law, the Florida Lottery must provide records of the winner's name, city of residence, what they won, when they won it, and how much they won to anyone who asks. (Street addresses and phone numbers are kept confidential, for what that's worth.)
But, as of May 25, 2022, the names of anyone claiming prizes of $250,000 or more will be temporarily exempt from disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed unless waived by the winner. So you have three months to get your affairs in order and hire someone to answer your phone.
Jennifer Sangalang, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida, contributed to this story.
This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida woman wins $1 million from 500X Cash, a $50 scratch-off ticket
