SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – Catherine Sakal, from Dutchess County, is the New York Lottery’s first millionaire of the New Year. Sakal won the $5,000,000 top prize on the popular Cash X100 scratch-off ticket. She was presented her ceremonial prize check by Yolanda Vega on the stage that made the Lottery personality famous.

Sakal, an accountant, enjoys playing Lottery scratch-off tickets for their entertainment value. “My motto is fun first,” said Sakal. “I play the bigger tickets for the chance at bigger payouts.”  Sakal’s ticket contained matching 17s earning her the biggest payout possible on that particular game.  “When I saw the matching 17s I started laughing and crying all at the same time.”

Sakal was on her way to the gym when she decided to stop for her tickets. “After I scratched off the $5,000,000 winning combination I decided to skip the gym and head straight home to show my husband, William.”  Sakal explained that it took some convincing when she got home.  “He looked it over a few times and finally realized it was for real.”

Sakal purchased her ticket at Rhinebeck Food and Gas on Route 9G in Rhinebeck. She claimed her jackpot prize on January 4 at the Lottery’s Schenectady Customer Service Center.  Sakal chose to receive her prize as a one-time lump sum payment totaling $3,309,000 after required withholdings.

“William and I are very down to earth people so this money won’t change us. It will offer a little bit of a cushion for the future and of course we’ll take care of our family.”  When asked of any other plans for the winnings Sakal replied, “I might trade in my Kia for another car model – maybe a Honda CRV.”

The New York Lottery contributed $41,755,794.14 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts in Dutchess County during fiscal year 2014-15.

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.