ENDICOTT, N.Y. – Fifty-five-year-old Peter Coppola of Cortland credits intuition for helping him select a top-prize winning $2,500 a Week for Life scratch-off ticket that guarantees him a minimum prize of $2,500,000.

“When I pick a ticket I just look at the case and grab the one that jumps out at me,” said the newlywed of 2 years. “This time it was a big winner!”

After purchasing his ticket, Coppola said he scratched it in his car and revealed a match on the number 21 with the $2,500 A Week prize message printed beneath. The veteran car sales manager said what happened next was surprising even to him.

“I had to look at it four or five times.  I was in disbelief!” he said. “I’m still speechless.”

Coppola opted to receive the cash value of his annuity prize, which entitles him to one lump sum payment totaling $2,015,261 (net $1,333,700). The father of three and grandfather of four said he has no immediate plans for his windfall. He does however plan to continue working.

Coppola purchased his lucky scratch-off ticket at Apple Food & Grocery at 100 North McKinley Ave. in Endicott. He is the New York Lottery’s 141^st millionaire of 2014.

The New York Lottery contributed $11,190,919.59 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Cortland County during fiscal year 2013-14.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.04 billion in fiscal year 2012-2013 to help support education in New York State.  The Lottery’s contribution represents 15 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.

About the New York State Gaming Commission

The New York State Gaming Commission regulates all aspects of gaming and gambling activity in the state, including horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering, class III Indian gaming, video lottery terminal facilities at race tracks, the state lottery and charitable gaming.