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July 13, 2018

Auburn Man Wins $1,000,000 Mayhem Jackpot


Carl Festa of Auburn has claimed the top prize of $1 million on the $1,000,000 Mayhem scratch-off ticket.

Festa said he only plays occasionally because, “I never win.”

That no longer holds true. While stopping to get ice for his wife’s birthday celebration, Festa picked up a single scratch-off ticket.

“I got it to give to her but I ended up scratching it first,” Festa explained.

“I looked at the ticket ten times. I didn’t think it was real,” he continued.

Festa said his wife Cheryl was also shocked, “She didn’t think it was real either.”

Festa has chosen to receive his prize as a one-time lump-sum payment, netting him $537,440 after required withholdings.

Festa said that it feels really good to win the lottery, “I am just happy that I can help my kids out.”

Festa’s plans for the money include helping his four children and to move out of state, somewhere warm.

Carey is the 70th New York Lottery player to claim a prize totaling $1,000,000 or more this year.

As of this writing there are two outstanding top prizes available on the $1,000,000 Mayhem ticket.  Players may check the status of any New York Lottery Scratch-off game by clicking the Instant Games Reports link at nylottery.ny.gov.

The New York Lottery contributed $14,816,518.65 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts in Cayuga County during fiscal year 2017-2018.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.37 billion in fiscal year 2017-2018 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery’s contribution represents approximately 13 percent of total state education aid to local school districts.

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school district’s size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.

New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, can find help by calling the State's toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369). 

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