NEW YORK, N.Y. – The New York Lottery’s Yolanda Vega and Jenny Garcia today awarded four ceremonial prize checks to some very lucky Lottery players.  The winners included two scratch-off players from Queens, a Win $1,000 a Week for Life winner from Staten Island and a group of six maintenance coworkers in Manhattan splitting a $1,000,000 Powerball prize.

Staten Islander’s Random Ticket Choice Turns into $1,000,000 Payday

Christopher Cresser, 39, of Staten Island was out running errands on October 23 and stopped at the deli to buy a soda.  While in the store he decided to try his luck on a Lottery scratch-off game and randomly chose the $1,000,000 Cashword ticket.  That choice made the father of two an instant millionaire.

“I don’t normally play the Lottery,” explained Cresser.  “When I realized I had scratched off ten words I was in shock.  I really wasn’t sure I had really won.”

Cresser purchased his ticket at the Lucky Deli & Grocery on Bay Street in Staten Island.  He claimed his prize later that day at the Lottery’s New York City Customer Service Center on Beaver Street.

The $1,000,000 Cashword ticket is paid as a one-time lump sum.  After required withholdings Cresser will receive a net check totaling $623,040.

Cresser’s plans for his winnings include paying off the mortgage on his house, taking his wife on a vacation to Hawaii and buying a car for each of his two children.

Queens Man Wins Lottery Prize of a Lifetime

Martin McNamara, 44, of Queens truly won the Lottery prize of a lifetime.  The retired firefighter scratched off three ‘LIFE’ symbols earning him the top prize on the popular Win $1,000 a Week for Life ticket.

“I was walking to Dunkin Donuts and stopped for the morning paper.  I was in the mood to play a Lottery ticket so I chose the first one I saw,” explained McNamara.  “When I saw the three life symbols I couldn’t believe it!”

McNamara purchased his jackpot winner on November 3 at 69-Grand on Grand Avenue in Maspeth.  He claimed his prize on November 5 at the Lottery’s Beaver Street Customer Service Center.

McNamara is guaranteed to receive a minimum payout of $1,000,000 over the next 20 years. Once the $1,000,000 prize has been realized, he will continue to receive an annual check for $52,000 (net $32,398) a year for life.

McNamara plans to set aside the majority of the winnings for his children’s college education.

Queens Man Opts for ‘Newer’ Ticket, Hits $1,000,000 Top Prize

Jucheng Hu, 30, of Queens prefers to play the new scratch-off tickets when they hit stores.  Hu decided on the new $1,000,000 Silver and Gold ticket and hit the jackpot winning combination making him an instant Lottery millionaire.

“I picked the $1,000,000 Silver and Gold ticket because it’s a newer game,” Hu explained through an interpreter.  “I was very happy when I realized I won the $1,000,000 top prize.”

Hu purchased his ticket at H X International on Eldridge Street in Manhattan.  He claimed his prize on October 22 at the Lottery’s New York City Customer Service Center.

Hu opted to receive his prize in 20 annual payments of $50,000.  His yearly net check will total $31,152 after required withholdings.  He plans to use his winnings to buy a new house.

Six Coworkers Change their Strategy and Take Home $1,000,000 Powerball Prize

William Hann and his five coworkers have been playing the Lottery together for five years.  They normally purchase Quick Pick tickets, but decided to change things up for the October 23 Powerball drawing.  Each member chose a set of numbers and it was Hann’s lucky combination that won the group their $1,000,000 windfall.

“Luckily for us, making a change to how we chose our numbers really paid off,” explained Larry Roiter, the group’s spokesperson.  “We really couldn’t be happier.”

The six lucky coworkers include:

Joseph Curran, 28, from New Windsor       Stefano Mattelini, 46, from Astoria

Kevin Guerrero, 31, from the Bronx           Larry Roiter, 49, from Jackson, NJ

William Hann, 47, from Massapequa           Guy Sicurella, 51, from Franklin Square

Kevin Guerrero purchased the group’s lucky ticket on October 23 at Family Vending at 26 Federal Plaza in Manhattan.  They claimed their prize on October 24 at the Lottery’s Customer Service Center in Manhattan.

Each member will receive $166,666 before required withholdings.  Their plans for their portion of the winnings include buying a condo, skydiving lessons, taking care of family and planning for retirement.

The winning numbers for the October 23 Powerball drawing were 3 – 23 – 31 – 34 – 47 Powerball 13.

The New York Lottery contributed $1,200,599,252.62 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout the five boroughs 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.