The New York Lottery’s Yolanda Vega and Anna Lichorat today presented $2,00,000 to the Capital Region’s newest Lottery millionaires.  The winners received their ceremonial prize checks at Lottery Headquarters in Schenectady.

Ballston Spa Woman Wins First $1,000,000 Top Prize on the New $1,000,000 Mayhem Scratch-off Ticket

Fifty-nine-year-old Kelly Busch of Ballston Spa was as shocked as anybody when she realized she just became an instant millionaire.  Busch cashed in a $10 winning Lottery ticket and bought two $1,000,000 Mayhem tickets because she liked the name.  One of those tickets turned out to be a $1,000,000 winner.

“My first thought was, this can’t be right,” explained Busch.  “I was out doing laundry and had a $10 winner to cash.  I bought the Mayhem ticket because I really liked the name.”

Busch scratched the tickets when she returned home and the first one she played was the jackpot winner.  “It was a real shock to me,” she continued.  “I didn’t want to lose it, so I came right down here to Schenectady to claim it.”

Busch chose to receive her prize as a one-time lump sum payment.  She will receive a net check totaling $537,440 after required withholdings.

“This is weird to me,” Busch admitted.  “My first thought is to buy a new car.”

The winning ticket was purchased at the Union Foodmart at 2 South Street in Ballston Spa.

The New York Lottery contributed $35,770,516in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts in Saratoga County during fiscal year 2017-2018.

Albany Man wins $1,000,000 Jackpot on Popular New York Poker Scratch-off Ticket

Forty-five-year-old Gregg Collar of Albany is the latest jackpot winner on the popular New York Poker scratch-off ticket.  Collar purchased his winning ticket using money cashed in from other Lottery tickets.

“I cashed in some winning tickets and bought the New York Poker ticket randomly,” explained Collar.  “I knew right away it was a winner, but showed it to a coworker to be sure.”

Collar purchased his ticket on a Friday and had to wait until the following Monday to claim his prize.  “I put it in a fire proof box at home and left it there until I could bring it in.  I didn’t want to touch it.”

Collar chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment.  He will receive a net check totaling $544,158 after required withholdings.

“I really have no idea what I’ll do with the winnings,” Collar continued.  “I plan to stay within my means, but it will definitely make life easier.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Emil News at 99 Washington Avenue in Albany.

The New York Lottery contributed $45,086,207 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts in Albany 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).