NEW YORK, N.Y. – New York Lottery spokesperson Gretchen Dizer and Lottery representative Jenny Garcia today introduced six new Lottery millionaires. The winners, consisting of Powerball, Sweet Million and scratch-off winners, were presented with ceremonial oversized checks totaling $6,000,000.

The occasion was highlighted by the Lottery’s new payment option for scratch-off game annuity jackpot winners.  Three of today’s winners were awarded their prizes based on their preference for receiving the prize as a lump sum or annuity.  Going forward, all annuity jackpot winners on a Lottery scratch-off game will have 60 days from the date they claim their prize to choose to receive their prize in one lump sum payment or spread out over 20 annual payments.

Queens Numbers Player Takes a Chance on a Scratch-Off Ticket and Hits the Jackpot

Bartholomew Beckwith of Jamaica, Queens stopped at his local retailer to play his daily Numbers and made a life changing decision while in the store.  Beckwith decided to take a chance on the Jumbo Bucks scratch-off ticket.  The decision made the 50-year-old maintenance worker an instant millionaire.

“I buy Jumbo Bucks tickets once in a while because I’ve had luck on them in the past.  I scratched off the coin and a little bit of the prize amount.  When I saw it said ‘jackpot’ I was in shock,” he explained.

Beckwith purchased his jackpot winning ticket on April 21 at P & A Candy & Deli on 41^st Avenue in Long Island City.  He claimed his prize the very next day at the Lottery’s New York City Customer Service Center.

Beckwith took advantage of the new Lottery payment option and chose to receive his $1,000,000 jackpot prize in one lump sum instead of 20 annual payments totaling $1,000,000 as the ticket was designed to pay out.  He will receive his prize as a one-time payment totaling $840,000 (net $523,354.)

“How many times I’ve dreamed about winning and now I have,’ said the lucky millionaire.  “I’ll make sure my kids are alright.  If anything happens to me, they’ll be well off.”

Sweet Million Player’s Dedication Pays Off to the Tune of $1,000,000

Brian Locilento, 48, from Lake Hiawatha, NJ has played Sweet Million since the game was introduced in 2009.  His dedication paid off when all six of his numbers matched the winning numbers drawn on January 24.

“I started playing Sweet Million when I heard the commercials advertising that it was best chance for players to win a million dollars,” explained the butcher.  “I saw a sign in the store that said they sold the winning ticket.  When I saw the results scroll across the machine I knew I had won.” 

Locilento purchased his winning ticket during a routine trip to the Suffern Green Grocery on Lafayette Avenue in Suffern.  He claimed his $1,000,000 prize on April 2 at the Lottery’s Fishkill Customer Service Center. 

The $1,000,000 Sweet Million prize is paid out as a one-time lump sum payment. Locilento will receive a net check totaling $662,157 after required withholdings.  He plans to use some of his winnings to pay off the mortgage on his mother’s house.  “As for the rest of it, I haven’t gotten that far yet,” he added.

The winning numbers from the January 24 Sweet Million drawing were 9-14-25-35-39-40.

Unexpected Trip Earns Brooklyn Couple $1,000,000 Powerball Win

Carol Garipoli of Dyker Heights, Brooklyn is in charge of purchasing the weekly Powerball and Mega Millions tickets for her and her husband Paul.  On April 26 she deviated from her normal routine when she had to unexpectedly pick up her grandchildren from school.  The change of plans earned the couple their $1,000,000 Powerball win from the April 27 drawing.

“I never go that way, but on that day I found myself waiting for my grandchildren,” explained the retired secretary.  “I saw this cute deli across the street so I decided to make the most of my time and buy my tickets while I waited.”

Garipoli purchased their winning ticket at the Santa Maria Deli on 4^th Avenue in Brooklyn.  The couple claimed their prize on April 29 at the Lottery’s New York City Customer Service Center.  The $1,000,000 Powerball second prize is paid out as a one-time lump sum payment. They chose to split their prize with each receiving a net check totaling $311,520 after required withholdings.

The Garipolis plan to use their winnings to take the entire family on a vacation.  “Family comes first,” explained Paul Garipoli, a retired heavy equipment operator.  “After all, it was our family that brought us such luck.”

The winning numbers from the April 27 Powerball drawing were 3-23-48-54-55 Powerball 5.

Three Dollar ‘Loan’ Nets Staten Island Roommates $3,000,000 Lottery Win

Hedra Dawod, 22, of Great Kills, Staten Island had a feeling that he was due for a big Lottery win.  While in the store with his roommate Marko Matta, 35, he decided to try his luck on the $10 50X the Money scratch-off ticket.  The ticket he selected turned out to be a $3,000,000 winner.

“I asked the store clerk to check the numbers on all of the scratch-off tickets and the $10 50X the Money ticket was numbered 041 on the roll which happens to be my favorite number,” explained Dawod.  “The problem was I only had seven dollars in my pocket.  I asked Marko to give me $3 and told him if we hit big I’d take care of him.”

Dawod purchased the winning ticket on April 8 at Kings Arthur Kill Convenience Store on Arthur Kill Road in Staten Island.  Dawod made good on his promise and agreed to share his prize with Matta.  The duo took advantage of the new payment option available to scratch-off annuity winners and chose to receive their $3,000,000 jackpot prize in one lump sum instead of 20 annual payments.  Dawod will receive his portion of the winnings as a one-time payment totaling $1,890,000 (net $1,177,546.)  Matta will receive a one-time payment totaling $630,000 (net $392,515.) 

Both lucky winners have specific plans for their portion of the winnings.  “I plan to pay off my student loans and pay for medical school,” explained Dawod.  “I’m hoping to open up my own deli with my share,” said Matta.

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.