KEESVILLE, N.Y. – Fifty-three year-old Douglas Smith of Wilmington, Essex County is the first to admit he had doubts about his own Lottery luck. The Frontier Communications installer- turned-Lottery millionaire said his first reaction to hearing he was $3,000,000 richer was simple disbelief or as he put it, “one of denial.” Smith’s Lottery story began over breakfast at McLean’s Family Restaurant on Route 9 in Keeseville where he bought his lucky $100 Million Payout scratch-off ticket.

“I went to the check-out counter and decided to buy two of the same tickets just on impulse,” he said. Smith said he scratched both of the $100 Million Payout tickets on the spot and saw a match on the number 18 on one of them, making him $3,000,000 richer in an instant. He then took the ticket to another Lottery retailer to confirm what he couldn’t yet believe.  

“The clerk scanned it for me and said, ‘You’re a big winner. Can I give you a hug?’” After saying “Yes” to the hug, Smith said he figured it was safe to call his brother to share the good news.

Smith’s $3,000,000 win marks the fifth time a Lottery player from Essex County has won a jackpot prize of $1,000,000 or more. Other recent North County scratch-off millionaires include Michael Vice of Ticonderoga who won at least $5,000,000 on the Set For Life game in 2010 and Jamie Velsini of Mineville who won $1,000,000 on the Fabulous Fortune ticket in 2013.

Smith opted to receive his jackpot prize in one lump sum payment totaling $2,270,000 (net $1,502,286). His plans for the money include saving for the future.

The New York Lottery contributed $191,359,408.74 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Essex 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.