Forty-nine-year-old George Shiomos of Minoa has claimed the top prize of $3,000,000 on the 50X The Money scratch-off game.

Shiomos, a banker, who likes to play scratch-off games said he chose this game because “it looked new and I like playing the new ones.”

After scratching the ticket back at his office, Shiomos went back to the store to double check his ticket.

“I was shocked. I called my wife to tell her but she didn’t believe me,” Shiomos explained.

Shiomos has chosen to receive his $3,000,000 prize in annual payments, netting him $100,770 a year for the next 20 years after required withholdings.

Shiomos said he will use the money to pay bills and help pay for his children’s college educations.

When asked how it feels to win the Lottery Shiomos said, “Great! I’m still in shock, but it’s great.”

Shiomos is the 54th New York Lottery player to claim a prize totaling $1,000,000 or more in 2018.

The New York Lottery contributed $110,320,597.16 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts in Orange County during fiscal year 2017-2018.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.37 billion in fiscal year 2017-2018 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery’s contribution represents approximately 13 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.

New Yorkers struggling with a gambling addiction, or who know someone who is, can find help by calling the State's toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369).