Tallahassee, FL - A lucky Florida resident has become $1 million richer after hitting a major prize in the Florida Lottery's 500X THE CASH scratch-off game.
Lottery officials say Gail Riola, who purchased her winning ticket at a RaceTrac store in North Port, Sarasota County, opted for a one-time lump-sum payout of $640,000.
The store will also benefit, receiving a $2,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
The $50 500X THE CASH scratch-off game boasts more than $1.66 billion in cash prizes, including a record-breaking $25 million top prize, the largest ever offered by a Florida scratch-off game.
With overall odds of winning at approximately 1 in 4, the game remains a favorite among lottery players.
Scratch-off tickets accounted for 74% of the Florida Lottery’s ticket sales in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, contributing nearly $19.5 billion to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.
Overall, the Florida Lottery has contributed more than $47 billion to education, including funding for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which has supported over 983,000 students in attending college.
Riola's win highlights the continued popularity of scratch-off games, which have become a cornerstone of the Florida Lottery’s success in funding education and creating life-changing moments for players.