The New York Lottery’s Yolanda Vega today presented $26,600,000 to New York’s newest Lottery millionaires.  The winners received their ceremonial prize checks at the Lottery’s Customer Service Center on Beaver Street in Manhattan.

Staten Island Woman Wins $11,600,000 LOTTO Jackpot

Forty-year-old Kimberly To-Mejia of Staten Island was the sole winner of the $11,600,000 jackpot from the September 22 Lotto drawing.  To-Mejia normally plays Powerball and Mega Millions but decided to give Lotto a try on a whim.

“I wasn’t winning anything on Powerball or Mega Millions, so I decided to give Lotto a try,” explained To-Mejia.  “I checked my ticket a few weeks after the drawing and couldn’t believe my eyes!”

The winning numbers for the September 22 Lotto drawing were 1-2-15-17-27-56 Bonus Number 58.

To-Mejia chose to receive her prize as a one-time lump sum payment and will receive a net check totaling $4,702,192 after required withholdings.

“I rarely play the Lottery,” admitted To-Mejia.  “I only play when I’m feeling lucky so I’m still in disbelief!  I’ll use the winnings to take care of my children and take a long European vacation.”

The winning ticket was purchased at the 86^th Street Grocery and Snacks in Brooklyn.

To-Mejia is the 98th New York Lottery player to claim a prize totaling $1,000,000 or more this year.

Brooklyn Woman Reinvests Lottery Winnings and Hits $10,000,0000 Jackpot

Janet Pruitt from Brooklyn won $75 on some Lottery scratch-off tickets and decided to use the winnings to buy two more $350,000,000 Cash Spectacular tickets.  One of those tickets contained the jackpot winning combination earning Pruitt a $10,000,000 pay-day.

“I saw a match on the number 26 and the letters A-C-K so I knew I won something,” said Pruitt.  “I scratched off the J and then saw the prize amount.  I scanned the ticket twice.  The machine said to sign the ticket immediately so I knew I won something big!”

Pruitt then sent a picture of her winning ticket to her husband for verification.  “I thought I might have won a portion of the $10,000,000 prize, but not the whole thing!  My husband convinced me I won the whole $10,00,000.”

The $10,000,000 top prize on the $350,000,000 Cash Spectacular ticket is paid as a one-time lump sum payment.  Pruitt will receive a net check totaling $6,330,400 after required withholdings.

“I’m trying to remain measured about all of this,” Pruitt said of her newfound wealth.  “I plan to help my daughter with her future and travel with my husband.  A few more exotic vacations.”

Pruitt purchased her ticket at the Lex Newsstand on Lexington Avenue in Manhattan.

Pruitt is the 96th New York Lottery player to claim a prize totaling $1,000,000 or more this year.

Brooklyn Man Wins $5,000,000 Jackpot on Popular Set for Life Scratch-off Ticket

Thirty-three-year-old Grigoriy Shuba from Brooklyn has won the $5,000,000 top prize on the popular Set for Life scratch-off game.  Shuba scratched off the coin symbol signifying an automatic win.  His prize turned out to be the $5,000,000 jackpot.

“I like to play the ‘life’ games,” explained Shuba.  “I scratched the ticket while walking out of the store and was surprised when I saw the word ‘life’ printed under the coin symbol.”

Shuba chose to receive his $5,000,000 prize as a one-time lump sum payment.  He will receive a net check totaling $2,399,096 after required withholdings.

“I’m still in shock,” said Shuba.  “It’s too soon to decide how I will spend my winnings.”

Shuba purchased his ticket at Quentin Grocery at 1690 East 16^th Street in Brooklyn.

Shuba is the 101st New York Lottery player to claim a prize totaling $1,000,000 or more this year.

The New York Lottery contributed $ 1,337,283,719 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts throughout the five boroughs of New York City 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).