Florida Lottery: Of 156 $1 million wins, 45 tickets were sold at Publix. Is yours on the list?
In a game that's all about numbers, we found an interesting figure: Of 156 $1 million prizes in the Florida Lottery 500x the Cash scratch-off game, 45 winning tickets were purchased from a Publix in Florida.
No doubt, that's a very impressive fact for some. This one might be bigger than that: Of the two chances to win a top prize for $25 million in the 500x the Cash Florida Lottery scratch-off game, one ticket was purchased at a Florida Publix.
What are the odds? And why did so many Publix locations in Florida produce million-dollar winners?
One organization that won't brag about the billion-dollar lottery wins from the Publix stores? Publix.
Over the years, a significant amount of Florida Lottery money was won through tickets sold at Publix (see below). However, the grocery store chain has a policy not to publicly comment on lottery wins. A notice on its corporate website states: "Publix does not participate in or promote lottery stories. Rather, we offer the lottery as a service to our customers."
The stores that sold the winning prizes don't advertise that fact either. Though there have been signs warning against the use of bicycles, skateboards or inline skates, signs about the store's pet policy and signs requesting unvaccinated customers wear a mask to curb the spread of COVID-19, there are no signs in Publix stores touting big jackpot wins.
Publix did not respond to several USA TODAY Network-Florida inquiries about its lottery story policy.
Here's what we know (and what we don't know) about Publix and significant Florida Lottery jackpot wins for 500x the Cash Florida Lottery game along with a list of Publix stores in Florida that sold the winning scratch-off tickets for a cool million (or above). Did your Publix make the list?
How much does it cost to play 500x the Cash Florida Lottery game?
500x the Cash (pronounced 500 times the cash) scratch-off tickets cost $50. Florida Lottery launched this game Feb. 28, 2022. As of Sept. 25, 2023, these are the significant remaining prizes:
4 scratch-off tickets worth $1 million
8 prizes worth $50,000
44 prizes worth $20,000
36 prizes worth $10,000
How do you play 500x the Cash lottery scratch-offs?
Players see if their scratch-off ticket matched any of the winning numbers, winning the prize shown for that number.
If you get a 5x, 10x, 20x, 100x or 500x symbol you win that many times the amount of the prize shown. If you get a Moneybag symbol, you can win double the prize amount shown for all 35 prizes.
Start scratching: Florida Lottery scratch-off games offer prizes in the millions
What are the odds for 500x the Cash Florida Lottery game?
The game's overall odds of winning are 1-in-4.50.
The odds of winning 500X the Cash's top prize of $25 million are 1-in-21,419,145.
The odds of winning $1 million are 1-in-267,739.
Can players win 500x the Cash's top prize of $25 million?
Both of the top $25 million prizes available have been claimed.
Want to know more before you play? Ultimate guide to the Florida Lottery, Powerball and Mega Millions
Can players win $1 million from a 500x the Cash Florida Lottery ticket?
There are four left. As of Sept. 25, the Florida Lottery shows that 156 of the 160 total prizes of $1 million for the 500x the Cash game have been claimed since the game was launched.
This Publix store in Florida sold 500x the Cash scratch-off ticket worth $25 million
As of Sept. 25, the Florida Lottery shows the two top prizes of $25 million were both claimed, with the most recent jackpot accounted for on July 21, 2023.
A $25 million scratch-off ticket was purchased at Publix, 13650 Fiddlesticks Blvd., Fort Myers. Someone from Riverview made the drive to the Publix in Lee County, purchased a 500x the Cash Florida Lottery scratcher, and won the top prize. Maps show Riverview is about 121 miles north of Fort Myers. The mystery winner opted for a one-time lump sum of $20,560,000. The winner's identity has not been revealed by lottery officials − yet. In Florida, lottery winners cannot remain anonymous, per rules. The winner's name, residence, prize amount, where the ticket was purchased from and when are subject to publication. However, there is a grace period for lottery winners to be temporarily exempt from public disclosure.
Where was the other $25 million top prize from 500x the Cash purchased?
In June 2022, lottery officials announced George Demetriades of Bonita Springs won $25 million from his 500x the Cash scratch-off ticket. Demetriades appeared in May 2022 at the lottery's district office in Fort Myers and chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $20,560,000, according to the lottery.
Demetriades bought his scratch-off from Circle K, 10460 Bonita Beach Road, Bonita Springs. His winnings paid off for the store, too: Circle K received a $50,000 bonus commission for selling the golden ticket.
These Publix stores in Florida sold 500x the Cash scratch-off tickets worth $1 million. Did your Publix make the list?
The Florida Lottery routinely updates its "remaining games" with information on its winners. The following is a list of top-prize winners with retailer information, date of claim, advertised top prize, payment and prize payout.
On March 1, 2022, Jerrold Ott of North Fort Myers claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased from Publix, 1735 N.E. Pine Island Road, Cape Coral. Ott opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On March 2, 2022, George Schlitz of Davenport, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased from Publix, 39883 Highway 27, Davenport. Schlitz opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On March 14, 2022, William Murray of Marco Island, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased from Publix, 175 S. Barfield Drive, Marco Island. Murray opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On March 17, 2022, St. Patrick's Day, Idalmis Almarales of Orlando, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 6485 Chickasaw Trail, Orlando. Almarales opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On March 30, 2022, Johnell Lockett of Coral Springs, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 10155 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise. Lockett opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On April 11, 2022, Rene Garcia of Miramar, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 15729 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines. Garcia opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On April 12, 2022, Evan Fried of Sarasota, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 8300 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota. Fried opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On April 15, 2022, Earnest Dillard Jr. of Mobile, Alabama, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 2180 W. Nine Mile Road, Pensacola. Dillard opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On April 15, 2022, Sandra Rmus of Sarasota, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 5100 Clark Road, Sarasota. Rmus opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On April 18, 2022, Judy Sandberg of Naples, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 2450 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples. Sandberg opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On April 21, 2022, Douglas Groussman of Pensacola, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 5998 Mobile Highway, Pensacola. Groussman opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On April 26, 2022, Wesling Diaz of Durham, North Carolina, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 3930 S.W. Archer Road, Gainesville. Diaz opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On May 5, 2022, Allison Greschuk of Lakeland, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 2040 Shepherd Road, Mulberry. Greschuk opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On May 18, 2022, Robert Goode of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 2038 U.S. 98 West, Santa Rosa Beach. Goode opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On May 27, 2022, Kimberly Elbers of Leesburg, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 717 N. 14th St., Leesburg. Elbers opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On June 2, 2022, Carlos Romero of Miami Lakes, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 15000 Miami Lakes Drive East, Miami Lakes. Romero opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On June 2, 2022, Jenny Marotzke of Cape Coral, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 1631 Del Prado Blvd. South, Cape Coral. Marotzke opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On June 30, 2022, K-Rod Revocable Living Trust of Miami, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 1601 Promenade Blvd., Weston. The group opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On July 11, 2022, Jeanne Salvant of Riverview, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 13154 U.S. 301 South, Riverview. Salvant opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On July 15, 2022, David Thomas of Cooper City, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 5656 S. Flamingo Road, Cooper City. Thomas opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On July 15, 2022, Wesley Sanek of Fort Myers, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 1981 N. Tamiami Trail, Naples. Sanek opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Aug. 4, 2022, Daniel Whitley of Weston, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 6901 Taft St., Hollywood. Whitley opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Aug. 23, 2022, Laura Purdy of Gulf Breeze, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 8244 Navarre Parkway, Navarre. Purdy opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Aug. 25, 2022, Richard Braswell of St. Augustine, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 4255 U.S. 1 South, Suite 1, St. Augustine. Braswell opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Sept. 8, 2022, Karen Gibbons of Sebastian, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 13435 U.S. 1, Sebastian. Gibbons opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Sept. 9, 2022, Octavia Wright of Clearwater, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 33343 U.S. 19 North, Palm Harbor. Wright opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Sept. 19, 2022, Bernadette Albert of Jacksonville, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 5858 Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville. Albert opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Sept. 26, 2022, Frank Barone of Delray Beach, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 16130 Jog Road, Delray Beach. Barone opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Oct. 11, 2022, Karen Dowling of Port Charlotte, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 24051 Peachland Blvd., Port Charlotte. Dowling opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Nov. 21, 2022, Kerim Akel of Navarre, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 8244 Navarre Parkway, Navarre. Akel opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Dec. 19, 2022, Alexander Osceola of Ochopee, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 13820 S.W. 88th St., Miami. Osceola opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Jan. 5, 2023, Giovanni Salazar of Plantation, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 5656 S. Flamingo Road, Cooper City. Salazar opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Jan. 17, 2023, John McPherson Jr. of Clermont, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 4351 S. U.S. 27, Clermont. McPherson opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Jan. 20, 2023, Robert Stiller of West Palm Beach, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 135 Bradley Place, Palm Beach. Stiller opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Jan. 23, 2023, Stephen Espinoza of Delray Beach, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 555 N.E. 5th Ave., Delray Beach. Espinoza opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On March 6, 2023, Amelia Agosto of Miami, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 12800 Biscayne Blvd., North Miami. Agosto opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On March 6, 2023, Salma Fajardo of Fort Myers, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 6700 Bayshore Road, North Fort Myers. Fajardo opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On March 24, 2023, Christopher Banks of Pensacola, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 9251 University Parkway, Pensacola. Banks opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On March 30, 2023, Paul Nitz of Merritt Island, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 125 E. Merritt Island Causeway, Merritt Island. Nitz opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On April 27, 2023, Richard McGue II of Sun City Center, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 4854 Sun City Center Blvd., Sun City Center. McGue opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On April 28, 2023, Abdallah Adlouni of Tampa, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 3700 4th St. North, St. Petersburg. Adlouni opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On April 28, 2023, Mengyue Xue of Gainesville, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 5801 S.W. 75th St., Gainesville. Xue opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On May 9, 2023, David Nguyen of Orlando, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 10250 Curry Ford Road, Orlando. Nguyen opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On July 21, 2023, someone in Altamonte Springs, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 851 S. SR 434, Altamonte Springs. The winner, whose identity has not been made public from the Florida Lottery, opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Aug. 1, 2023, someone in Jacksonville, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 950 Blanding Blvd., Orange Park. The winner, whose identity has not been made public from the Florida Lottery, opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
Publix stores in Florida that sold two 500x the Cash tickets worth $1 million − in less than one year
According to the Florida Lottery, these two Publix locations sold two 500x the Cash scratch-off tickets worth $1 million in a matter of months.
On July 15, 2022, David Thomas of Cooper City, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 5656 S. Flamingo Road, Cooper City. Thomas opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Jan. 5, 2023, Giovanni Salazar of Plantation, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 5656 S. Flamingo Road, Cooper City. Salazar opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Aug. 23, 2022, Laura Purdy of Gulf Breeze, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 8244 Navarre Parkway, Navarre. Purdy opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
On Nov. 21, 2022, Kerim Akel of Navarre, Florida, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 8244 Navarre Parkway, Navarre. Akel opted for the lump sum of $820,000.
Contributing: C.A. Bridges, USA TODAY Network-Florida
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.
This article originally appeared on Florida Today: 500x Cash lotto game: Which Publix in Florida sold $25 million ticket?
