MANHATTAN, NY – Members of the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) routinely talk about comradery and the family nature of their companies.  So, it was no surprise when 63-year-old FDNY retiree Carmelo Mercado referenced family when he looked back on his $5,000,000 Lottery win.  The former Queens resident and member of Astoria’s Battalion 49, won the top prize on the New York Lottery’s new Cash X100 scratch-off ticket.

“It’s good to be a part of the Lottery family,” explained the current Harriman resident.  “I always tell people you’ve got to play if you want to win.”  

Mercado, a first responder on September 11, 2001 as part of FDNY’s Queens Battalion 49, made a routine stop on May 12 at the Jolly 100 on Queens Boulevard in Sunnyside. 

“I bought one ticket and lost on it. I noticed the next ticket in the pack was number 25 – my birth year backwards – so that was the next one I bought.”  That second ticket contained the winning combination earning Mercado a $5,000,000 instant payday.

“I was in shock when I realized I won,” he explained.  “It’s a blessing.”

The $5,000,000 top prize on the Cash X100 scratch-off ticket is paid out as a one-time lump sum payment.  Mercado will receive a net check totaling $3,309,000 after required withholdings.

“I have so many plans for the money,” said New York’s newest Lottery millionaire.  “My daughter already has her heart set on 10 American Girl dolls.  I will certainly help out my family and this year’s Christmas presents will be a little bigger than last year’s.  But I’m really excited to buy a summer house at Disney.  We go as a family every year and it will be nice not to have to rent anymore.”

The New York Lottery contributed $82,318,023.16 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Orange County and $1,265,576,988.95 to school districts throughout New York City during fiscal year 2014-2015.

 About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.11 billion in fiscal year 2014-2015 to help support education in New York State.  The Lottery’s contribution represents 14 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.