Vero Beach man wins $1 million from Monopoly game scratch-off ticket

Jennifer Sangalang, Treasure Coast Newspapers
·4 min read

For one Indian River County man, a $20 scratch-off ticket really paid off.

The Florida Lottery announced Fred Ballou, 60, of Vero Beach claimed $1 million from the $20 "Monopoly Doubler" scratch-off game. Ballou chose to receive his winnings as a lump-sum payment of $798,985, the site states, adding he bought the scratch-off from Sam's Market and Deli, 1503 Angle Road, Fort Pierce. The store gets something, too: It will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket, the Florida Lottery said.

Below are things to know about the game.

How much does it cost to play Monopoly Doubler lottery game?

It costs $20 to play the scratch-off game Monopoly Doubler. Monopoly fans will be pleased to see correlations between the beloved board game and the lottery scratcher.

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How do you play Monopoly Doubler lottery scratch-offs?

Lazaro Aviles, 36, of DeLand, claimed a $1 million prize from the $20 Monopoly Doubler, Florida Lottery scratch-off game, the Lottery announced on Monday, March 20, 2023.
Lazaro Aviles, 36, of DeLand, claimed a $1 million prize from the $20 Monopoly Doubler, Florida Lottery scratch-off game, the Lottery announced on Monday, March 20, 2023.

Players see if their scratch-off ticket matched any of the winning numbers, winning the prize shown for that number. Florida Lottery rules state:

  • If players get a "Mr. Monopoly" symbol, they win two times the prize shown for that symbol.

  • If players get a "chest" symbol, they win five times the prize shown for that symbol.

  • If players get a "dog" symbol, they win 10 times the prize shown for that symbol.

  • If players get a "RR" symbol (as in railroad), they win 20 times the prize shown for that symbole.

  • If players get a "GO" symbol, they automatically win $200.

  • If players get a "hotel" symbol, they win all 20 prizes shown.

  • If players match the "doubler box" to any winning number, they get double the prize.

What are the odds for Monopoly Doubler?

The game's overall odds of winning are 1-in-3.02, according to the Florida Lottery.

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GO! DeLand man wins $1 million from a Monopoly Doubler scratcher

How much can you win playing a Monopoly Doubler scratch-off ticket?

According to the Florida Lottery, Monopoly Doubler features more than $493 million in cash prizes, including eight top prizes of $5 million.

Monopoly Doubler, launched July 4, 2022, features eight top prizes of $5 million and 16 prizes of $1,000,000, the Florida Lottery site states. Prizes range from $20 (the cost of the ticket) to $5 million.

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?

The Florida Lottery announced March 27, 2023, that Marques Robinson, 37, of Port St. Lucie, claimed a $1 million top prize in a Florida Lottery Scratch-Off game
The Florida Lottery announced March 27, 2023, that Marques Robinson, 37, of Port St. Lucie, claimed a $1 million top prize in a Florida Lottery Scratch-Off game

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.

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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 residencem 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.

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This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Florida Lottery: Treasure Coast man gets $1 million from Monopoly game