The Florida Lottery
01/25/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/25/2023 11:11
PALM BEACH COUNTY MAN CLAIMS $1 MILLION PRIZE PLAYING THE 500X THE CASH SCRATCH-OFF GAME
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023
FLORIDA LOTTERY COMMUNICATIONS
(850) 487-7727
[email protected] PALM BEACH COUNTY MAN CLAIMS $1 MILLION PRIZE
PLAYING THE 500X THE CASH SCRATCH-OFF GAME
TALLAHASSEE -Today, the Florida Lottery (Lottery) announces that Stephen Munoz Espinoza, 43, of Delray Beach, claimed a $1 million prize from the 500X THE CASH Scratch-Off game at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $820,000.00.
Munoz Espinoza shared with lottery officials that the big win was still hard to believe. "It was the end of a long day, and I was tired. I stopped at Publix and was about to buy a ticket at the machine when a man cut right in front of me. Instead of saying something, I decided I'd just buy a ticket at the counter instead. I can't believe I won a million dollars!" Espinoza and his wife shared they plan to buy a home for their family.
Munoz Espinoza purchased his winning ticket from Publix, located at 555 Northeast 5th Avenue in Delray Beach. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.
The $50 game, 500X THE CASH, features a top prize of $25 million-the largest ever offered on a Florida Scratch-Off game-and the best odds to become an instant millionaire! The game's overall odds of winning are 1-in-4.50.
Scratch-Off games are an important part of the Lottery's portfolio of games, comprising approximately 77 percent of ticket sales in fiscal year 2021-2022. Since inception, Scratch-Off games have generated more than $17.06 billion for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF).
ABOUT THE FLORIDA LOTTERY
The Florida Lottery is responsible for contributing more than $43 billion to enhance education and sending more than 950,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. The Florida Lottery reinvests 99 percent of its revenue back into Florida's economy through prize payouts, commissions to more than 13,000 Lottery retailers, and transfers to education. Since 1988, Florida Lottery games have paid more than $85.1 billion in prizes and made more than 3,500 people millionaires. For more information, please visit www.flalottery.com.