Tampa Man Wins $1 Million Lottery Prize
TAMPA, FLORIDA – A lucky resident of Lutz, Jorge Rodriguez Acosta, recently struck it rich by claiming a $1 million prize from the Florida Lottery. Acosta, who is from Hillsborough County, won this substantial amount from the popular 500X THE CASH scratch-off game.
The Details of the Win
Acosta made the decision to take his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $640,000. This means he will receive a significant portion of the million-dollar prize immediately, rather than opting for an annuity paid over several years. The winning ticket was purchased at a 7-Eleven store located at 3560 West Waters Avenue in Tampa.
In addition to Acosta’s windfall, the retailer that sold the winning ticket also got a reward. The 7-Eleven received a bonus commission of $2,000 for selling the scratch-off ticket, working as an incentive for retailers to promote the lottery games.
About the Game
The $50 500X THE CASH scratch-off game is notable for offering the largest top prize ever available in a Florida scratch-off game, which is $25 million. The game boasts the best odds of winning an instant million among other scratch-off games offered by the Florida Lottery. Currently, there are still two top prizes of $25 million remaining, in addition to 98 $1 million prizes and numerous smaller rewards.
Lottery Stats and Impact
The Florida Lottery reported that the overall odds of winning any prize in this game are 1 in 4.23. Scratch-off games play a vital role in the Lottery’s success, yielding approximately 74 percent of total ticket sales during the fiscal year 2023-2024. Since the lottery’s establishment, scratch-off games have provided over $63.1 billion in prizes and have contributed significantly to educational funding.
The Florida Lottery has channeled more than $19.24 billion into the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF). This funding has helped send over 983,000 students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.
Long-term Contributions
Since its formation in 1988, the Florida Lottery has given back over $95.7 billion in prizes and has created more than 4,000 millionaires. The organization is committed to reinvesting nearly 99 percent of its revenue back into Florida’s economy, aiding prize payouts, providing commissions to over 13,600 Lottery retailers, and transferring funds to education initiatives.
The Road Ahead
With Acosta as the latest winner, Florida Lottery enthusiasts are likely to feel invigorated about their chances in future games. As scratch-off games continue to gain popularity, the potential for life-changing prizes remains ever-present, attracting more players eager to test their luck.
