Florida Lottery game: 8 Publix stores sold winning tickets, including 1 worth $15 million

Jennifer Sangalang, Palm Beach Post
Updated ·7 min read
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Cha-ching!

In a game that's all about numbers, we found an interesting figure: A check online this month found that of 11 winning scratch-offs for prizes ranging from $1 million to the top prize of $15 million in 300x the Cash, eight winning tickets were purchased at a Publix in Florida.

And that's not the only time the Lakeland-based grocery giant got a lot of credit for making shoppers overnight millionaires.

In late September, USA TODAY Network reported that of 156 $1 million prizes in the Florida Lottery 500x the Cash scratch-off game, 45 winning tickets were purchased from a Publix here. That game launched Feb. 28, 2022, and ended Dec. 1, 2023. There were two top prizes of $25 million for 500x the Cash, and both were claimed. The last day to claim prize money from a winning 500x the Cash ticket is Jan. 30, 2024, according to the Florida Lottery.

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.

In late September, Publix did not respond to 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 300x 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?

Big wins for 500x the Cash: Of 156 $1 million wins, 45 tickets were sold at a Florida Publix. Is yours on the list?

How much does it cost to play 300x the Cash lottery?

300x the Cash scratch-off tickets cost $30. Florida Lottery launched this game just over a year ago on Sept. 19, 2022. As of Dec. 8, 2023, these are the 300x the Cash significant remaining prizes:

  • 3 scratch-off tickets worth $15 million (there were 4 available)

  • 14 scratch-off tickets worth $1 million; 10 were claimed

  • 55 scratch-off tickets worth $100,000; 45 were claimed

  • 78 prizes worth $20,000; 54 were claimed

  • 168 prizes worth $10,000; 132 were claimed

How do you play 300x 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.

What are the odds for 300x the Cash Florida Lottery game?

  • The odds of winning 300x the Cash's top prize of $15 million are 1-in-11,701,050.

  • The odds of winning $1 million are 1-in-1,950,175.

  • The odds of winning $100,000 are 1-in-468,042.

  • The odds of winning $20,000 are 1-in-354,577.

  • The odds of winning $10,000 are 1-in-156,014.

  • The odds of winning a $30 prize are 1-in-8.

Can players win 300x the Cash's top prize of $15 million?

Yes, as of Dec. 8, 2023, only one of the four top prizes of $15 million have been claimed.

Want to learn how to play? Ultimate guide to Florida Lottery, Powerball and Mega Millions

How much can you win playing 300x the Cash?

The scratch-off game features a top prize of $15 million, one of the largest for a Florida Lottery scratch-off game. Players have a chance to win 5x to 300x (5 times, 10 times, 20 times, 50 times, 100 times or 300 times) the prize. If "5X," "10X," "20X," "50X," "100X" or "300X" appears on the ticket, players get the prize shown for that symbol.

For a bonus, match any of the winning numbers to any of the bonus spot numbers to win $100, $200 or $500.

Can players win $1 million from a 300x the Cash Florida Lottery ticket?

Yes. As of Dec. 8, there are 14 prizes of $1 million left for 300x the Cash Florida Lottery scratch-off game. The game was launched in September 2022.

This Publix store in Florida sold 300x the Cash scratch-off ticket worth $15 million

As of Dec. 8, the Florida Lottery shows a top prize of $15 million was purchased at Publix, 33343 U.S. 19 North, Palm Harbor at Coral Landings Shopping Center. Doddridge Law Winners Revocable Trust from New Port Richey claimed the money, opting for a lump-sum payment of $10,430,000, Florida Lottery records show.

These Publix stores in Florida sold 300x 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 Oct. 11, 2022, Scott Petersen of Jensen Beach claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased from Publix, 1780 Jensen Beach Blvd., Jensen Beach. Petersen opted for the lump sum of $695,500.

  • On Nov. 8, 2022, Karen Landy of Naples, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased from Publix, 4601 9th St. North, Naples. Landy opted for the lump sum of $695,500.

  • On Nov. 28, 2022, Maree Beavers of Elgin, Illinois, claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased from Publix, 5100 Clark Road, Sarasota. Beavers opted for the annual payment.

  • On Feb. 1, 2023, Arnold Saces of Miami claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 1776 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. Saces opted for the lump sum of $695,500.

  • On April 5, 2023, Kenneth Somers of Jacksonville claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 12620-12 Beach Blvd., Jacksonville. Somers opted for the lump sum of $695,500.

  • On June 28, 2023, Robert Delaughter claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 1181 S. University Drive, Plantation. Delaughter opted for the lump sum of $695,500.

  • On Aug. 18, 2023, Christopher Parrillo of Oessa claimed a $1 million prize from a ticket purchased at Publix, 13589 SR 54, Odessa. Parrillo opted for the lump sum of $695,500.

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?

Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it. Florida Lottery says its scratch-off tickets and Fast Play game prizes "must be claimed within 60 days of the official end-of-game date. 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?

According to Florida Lottery's website, winners cannot remain anonymous: "Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner's name, city of residence; game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information."

However, the site states, since May 25, 2022, the "names of lottery winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless otherwise waived by the winner."

Lottery experts and lawyers have said there are ways to remain anonymous if you win.

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: 300x Cash lotto game: Which Publix in Florida sold $15 million ticket?