A LOTTERY player made a life-changing purchase at a gas station.
Dawn Flierl from Lakeview, New York, bought a scratch-off ticket for an Xtreme Winnings game.
Flierl picked it up at Neha Enterprises Inc. gas station in Erie County, just outside of Buffalo.
The ticket was $5, and prize options for the game range from $5 to $50,000 in annual installments.
Flierl scratched the ticket and won a whopping $1 million.
The full prize money couldn’t be taken home, though.
LUMP SUM
Lottery winners nationwide have a tough decision on how to claim their prizes.
They can scoop up their prize as a one-time lump sum payment or opt for the annuity option.
While the lump sum guarantees immediate cash, it means chopping off a chunk of the prize.
Annualized payments offer a stable flow of income for years to come, but tax deductions are applied over time rather than all at once.
In Flierl’s case, the lump sum option was chosen and they took home $468,720 after required withholdings.
That means $531,280 was deducted on the spot, over half the original prize.
LOTTO NEWS
Mega Millions players should check old tickets for an unclaimed prize worth $1 million.
The ticket was purchased at a Stop & Shop food store in Bristol, Rhode Island, about half an hour southeast of Providence.
The winning numbers are 11, 22, 42, 64, and 69 for a drawing on February 2.
Top lottery winners in the US
Millions dream of winning the lottery and finding fame and fortune. These are the biggest winners in US lottery history.
- Edwin Castro– $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 8, 2022, in California.
- Theodorus Struyck– $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023, in California.
- Unknown winner – $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023, in Florida.
- Marvin and Mae Acosta from Los Angeles, California, John and Lisa Robinson from Munford, Tennessee, and Maureen Smith and David Kaltschmidt from Melbourne Beach, Florida – $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016.
- Unknown winner – $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018, from South Carolina.
- Unknown winner – he sued the mother of his child to keep his identity hidden – $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023, from Maine.
- Unknown winner – $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022, from Illinois.
- Unknown winner – $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024, from Oregon.
- Yanira Alvarez– $1.08 billion Powerball, July 19, 2023 in California.
- Wolverine FLL Lottery Club – $1.05 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 22, 2021, from Michigan.
- Unknown winner – $842.4 million Powerball, Jan. 1, 2024, from Michigan.
The player missed 18 for the Mega Ball number.
They would’ve won a jackpot for over $300 million had they matched all six numbers.
Mega Millions prizes expire a year after the drawing date, meaning the winner has until February 2, 2025, to come forward.
Otherwise, it goes to the State General Fund as per the Rhode Island Lottery.
For related content, The U.S. Sun has the latest news on Powerball drawings.
Washington residents should look into another $1 million prize expiring this September.
Meanwhile, a scratch-off player bought a $1 million ticket at an ice cream shop but walked away with $475,230.
Read our lottery live blog for the very latest news and updates…
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry, or depressed
If you or someone you know is struggling with gambling addiction, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling online.