Residential remodeler David Kowalski of Clay, Onondaga County today claimed a top prize on the $10,000,000 Cash scratch-off game. Kowalski was driving home from Easter dinner with his parents when he stopped at the Stewart’s Shop at 7667 Morgan Rd. in Liverpool to cash-in a $50 Lottery winner.

“I reinvested $30 of it and put the other $20 in my pocket,” he said. Kowalski scratched the ticket in the shop’s parking lot.

“I’ve been on a run lately with these scratch-off tickets,” he said. “I’ve been winning a lot more often lately so I wasn’t really surprised when I scratched off the “50X” symbol. Then, I scratched the prize and… ‘Oh My God!’ I was visibly shaking. I had to keep telling myself to calm down. Stop shaking.”

Kowalski’s first call went to his girlfriend who didn’t answer. His second call was to his parents who thought he had an accident.

Kowalski said the best part of winning a $10 million Lottery prize is the peace of mind that comes with it.

“This is serious, life-changing money. This is the kind of money very few will ever see in their lifetime. You have to keep a level head and that’s what I plan to do.”

“I see myself investing a lot and putting the rest back in the business,” he continued. “Now I can get the tools and other equipment that I couldn’t afford before. I can be a little more selective in the jobs I take. I can look at a lot of things differently now.”

Kowalski is the second New Yorker to win the top prize on the $10,000,000 Cash anniversary ticket that was launched January 3^rd of this year. The other lucky winners were James and Sylvia Silverence from Poughkeepsie who claimed their $10 million prize on January 23^rd.

Kowlaski will receive his prize as a one-time lump-sum payment netting him $6,618,000 after required withholdings.

The New York Lottery contributed $104,613,215.98 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts in Onondaga County during fiscal year 2015-2016.

Join the New York Lottery’s 50th Anniversary!

The New York Lottery turns 50 this year! Help us celebrate North America’s most profitable Lottery:

• Join us at Albany’s Empire State Plaza on the Lottery’s 50th Birthday on Friday, June 16, 2017 at 12:15 p.m. for a special celebration, including live midday Numbers and Win 4 drawings with Yolanda Vega, giveaways, promotions and much more!
• More celebrations will take place at the Great New York State Fair in August.
• Beginning June 1, 2017: All eligible draw game and scratch-off tickets can be entered into the 50th Anniversary Sweepstakes through the New York Lottery Players Club or on the Players Club mobile app (iTunes / Google).

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About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing $3.27 billion in fiscal year 2016-2017 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery’s contribution represents approximately 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.