MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – The New York Lottery’s Jina Myers presented over-sized prize checks worth $6,000,000 to recent scratch-off winners from Orange and Dutchess Counties. The ceremonial check presentations took place at Sam’s Food Store on Academy Avenue in Middletown where the day’s big winner purchased his $5,000,000 jackpot-winning scratch-off ticket.

Middletown retiree turns $20 scratch-off win into $5,000,000 Lottery windfall

Sixty-four-year-old Dennis Gallagher of Middletown, Orange County credits a $20 prize he won on a New York Lottery scratch-off ticket with helping him win a $5,000,000 jackpot prize on the $5,000,000 Multiplier scratch-off game. The retired utility company employee said, “If it weren’t for the $20 I won, I never would have spent $20 on a ticket. That’s a lot of money for a guy like me.”

Gallagher said he realized his sudden change of fortune on March 5 after scratching his ticket in his truck in front of Sam’s Food Stores on Academy Ave. in Middletown where he bought his $5,000,000 winner.

“I headed back into the store and I think I shook the guy’s hand three times I was so happy,” he said. “I signed the ticket right away because you never know what can happen.  God finally took care of me,” Gallagher said of his win.

Gallagher claimed his winning ticket on March 6 at the Lottery’s Customer Service Center in Fishkill. He will receive his $5,000,000 in one net payment totaling $3,309,000 after taxes.

“I’ll use the money to help my family and my church,” said the new millionaire. When asked if there was anything he wanted for himself, Gallagher said, “I’m thinking about truck to replace my 1990 Nissan. I’ll probably buy another used one.”

The New York Lottery contributed $72,191,677.05 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Orange County during fiscal year 2011-2012.

Wappingers Falls bartender all bubbly over Win $1,000 A Week For Life scratch-off prize

Twenty-seven-year-old Natalie Borneo of Wappingers Falls, Dutchess County was enjoying some free time with a friend at the New York City night spot where she’s employed as a bartender when the pair decided to try their luck on a couple of Lottery scratch-off tickets.

“I gave my friend $10 to buy a few tickets,” recalled the lucky new millionaire. Borneo scratched the Win $1,000 A Week For Life ticket her friend bought her and saw the word “Life” printed three times on her ticket, guaranteeing her a minimum prize of $1,000,000 to be paid as a 20-year annuity. Once the $1,000,000 threshold has been met Borneo will continue to receive her $1,000 a week prize, for life. Her annual net check will total $34,414 after taxes.

Borneo said the initial thrill of winning soon turned into a long, sleepless night. “I signed the ticket right away and put it in my purse, but I didn’t sleep a wink that night. I couldn’t wait to turn the ticket in.” Borneo claimed her life prize on February 20 at the Lottery’s offices in Fishkill.

Borneo said her plans for the $1,000 a week for life prize remain up in the air. “My dreams are more expensive,” she laughed. “But, I do plan to buy something nice for my friend for picking a winning ticket.”

Borneo’s winning ticket was purchased at Discount Depot on 2^nd Avenue in Manhattan.

The New York Lottery contributed $37,661,817.41 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Dutchess County during fiscal year 2011-2012.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing nearly $2.9 billion in fiscal year 2011-2012 to help support education in New York State.  The Lottery’s contribution represents nearly 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.