Fifty-year-old Daniel Grinnell of Rochester is Monroe County’s newest Lottery millionaire.  The lucky Lottery player won the top prize of $3,000,000 prize on a $3,000,000 Money Clip scratch-off ticket.  This was his first time playing this particular scratch-off game.

“I scratch lots of tickets but this is my first time playing this ticket. I try and buy the new tickets,” explained the maintenance technician.

While at his usual store to buy Lottery tickets Grinnell realized the ATM was not working so went to another store.

“I took out $40, bought some tickets and won $27,” Grinnell said.

Grinnell then went back to his usual store where he took his winnings and purchased more tickets at the Lottery vending machine. Thinking it was bad luck to scratch the tickets in the store, Grinnell went to his car to scratch them.

“I was in disbelief. I checked the ticket about 100 times. I immediately signed it and put it away,” Grinnell continued.

Grinnell has chosen to receive his prize as a one-time lump-sum payment.  He will receive a net check totaling $1,558,576 after required withholdings.

With his winnings Grinnell plans to take care of his son, buy a house and live life on his terms.

When asked how it feels to win the Lottery, Grinnell said, “honestly, it feels pretty good. I guess I have a new lucky number. I spent $27, the ticket number was 27 and the winning number was 27.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Fastrac, 375 Ridge Road West, Rochester, NY.

The New York Lottery contributed $168,947,838.58 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts in Monroe 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).