NEW YORK, N.Y. – The New York Lottery’s Gretchen Dizer and Jenny Garcia teamed up today to present five ceremonial prize checks worth a collective $11,500,000 to a mix of Lottery scratch-off and draw game winners. The check presentations took place at the Lottery’s Office in Harlem.

Sleepless in Staten Island; Former NYC Department of Finance Employee’s Bout of Insomnia Results in $7.5 Million Lottery Win

Fifty-five-year-old Salvatore Gandolfo of Staten Island was having trouble sleeping on the morning of April 1.  Gandolfo, an avid scratch-off player, decided to buy some scratch-off tickets to help occupy the time.  The former NYC Department of Finance employee went with an old stand-by and purchased a Silver Spectacular ticket earning him the $7,500,000 jackpot prize.

“I’ve been fascinated by the Silver Spectacular ticket ever since it came out,” explained the new multi-millionaire.  “I buy that game a lot and was shocked when I realized I won the jackpot!”

Gandolfo purchased his life changing ticket at the Richmond Deli & Grocery on Richmond Avenue in Staten Island.  He claimed his prize at the Lottery’s Customer Service on Beaver Street in Manhattan on April 1.

Gandolfo will receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment totally $4,672,800 after required withholdings.  His plans for the money include helping out his family and possibly buying a new car to replace his 2005 Honda Accord.

Long Time Lottery Tradition Earns Brooklyn Mother of Two $1M Lottery Win

Susanne Miller, 39, of Brooklyn won the $1,000,000 top prize on the New York Lottery’s 7*11*21 scratch-off ticket.  Miller explained that she and her brother, Winston, often take turns buying each other tickets, a tradition the siblings started nine years ago.

“My brother and I have always taken turns buying scratch-off tickets,” explained Miller.  “He happened to buy this particular ticket and gave it to me.”

The $1,000,000 winner was purchased at Madina Food on Saint Johns Place in Brooklyn.  Miller claimed her prize at the Lottery’s Beaver Street Customer Service Center on March 25.

Miller opted to receive the cash value of her prize which totaled $760,000. She will receive a one-time payment of $473,510 after required withholdings.  The cook and private caterer said she plans to invest her winnings and set up college funds for her children.

Manhattan Jogger Runs Away with $1,000,000 Lottery Win

Thirty-eight-year-old Daniel “John” Laden of Manhattan was out jogging one day last May when he stopped at the store to pick up a few items before heading home.  Among his purchases was a Million Dollar Scratch ticket.  Laden became an instant Lottery millionaire after matching the jackpot winning combination.

“My heart sank, when I saw the winning combination,” explained the IT consultant.  “I was very excited.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Unique News on Broadway in Manhattan.  Laden formed the New Home Revocable Trust and will receive a one-time lump sum payment of $810,000, net $536,058.

Laden said he will use his winnings to purchase a new home.

‘Next to Never’ Lottery Player Wins $1,000,000 Mega Millions Prize

Twenty-nine-year-old Michael Palmer of Brooklyn admits he rarely plays the New York Lottery.  Palmer noticed the sign showing the Mega Millions jackpot for March 18 was $400,000,000 and decided to purchase a Quick Pick for the drawing.  One of his sets of numbers matched the first five numbers drawn earning him a $1,000,000 payday.

“I went into the store to buy an iced tea and glanced over at the Mega Millions sign.  The jackpot was $400,000,000 so I told the guy behind the counter to give me a ticket.  I figured ‘you have to be in it to win it,’” explained Palmer.

The winning numbers for the March 18 Mega Millions drawing were 11 19 24 33 51 Mega Ball 07.

Palmer will receive his prize as a single net payment totaling $623,040.  He said he plans to invest his winnings and “water this prize money and make it grow.”

Thirty Six Co-Workers Pool Money Together for Mega Millions Drawing and Hit $1,000,000 Second Prize

Thirty-six co-workers from Bloomberg LP in Manhattan started a New York Lottery office pool three years ago.  The group purchased their tickets for the March 7 Mega Millions drawing as usual, but this time the outcome was different.  One set of their numbers matched the first five numbers drawn earning the group their first $1,000,000 win.

“I was the one that checked our tickets the day after the drawing,” said group spokesperson Steven Fenster.  “The lady behind the counter told me I had a million dollar winner and I was in complete disbelief.  None of the other members believed me until they saw the ticket for themselves the following Monday.  We are all very happy for the win.”

The winning numbers for the March 7 Mega Millions drawing were 11 13 51 57 69 Mega Ball (01). The jackpot for the drawing was $270,000,000.

The group, calling themselves Tech Ops 36, will receive a single net payment totaling $623,040.  Fenster said they all have their own plans for their portion of the winnings.  Some of those plans include vacations, cars and trips to Disneyland.

The group of 36 co-workers splitting the prize include:

The New York Lottery contributed $1,200,599,252.62 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout New York County during fiscal year 2012-2013.

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.