Steven Daniel of Branford, Connecticut is a whole lot richer this summer. He stepped forward Tuesday to claim a $1,432,201 lump-sum payout from the New York Lottery after landing a Millionaire for Life second-prize ticket in the May 18 drawing. The lucky slip, which matched five main numbers, was sold at a convenience store in Orangeburg, Rockland County.
How the numbers fell
The May 18 Millionaire for Life drawing turned up the main numbers 01, 05, 20, 29 and 34, with the Millionaire Ball coming in as 02. According to the New York Lottery, the game pulls five main numbers from a field of 1 through 58 and a separate Millionaire Ball from 1 through 5. The drawing is held nightly and is televised at about 11:15 p.m.
Winner picks cash
Reporting from NewYorkUpstate identifies the winner as Daniel of Branford, who showed up at lottery headquarters in July to claim his prize and chose the lump-sum payout instead of the $100,000-a-year annuity option. GamblingNews notes that the guaranteed $2.2 million payout was reduced to $1,432,201 after standard federal and state tax withholdings.
Ticket sold in Orangeburg
Lottery officials say the winning ticket was sold at TipTop Super Shoppe in the Orangetown/Orangeburg Shopping Center. Local outlet Rockland News reported the store and location when word first broke in May that a second-prize Millionaire for Life ticket had been sold there.
Claiming rules and next steps
Under New York Lottery rules, winners have up to one year from the date of the drawing to come forward, and for games that offer both options, players can choose either an annuity or a cash lump sum. The lottery’s How to Claim page lays out the identification, paperwork and claim form required to make a win official.
The Orangeburg shop can expect a bit of a buzz as word of the sale spreads, and lottery officials are again stressing responsible play and support resources available at NYProblemGamblingHelp.org. If you think you are holding a winning ticket, check your numbers online or at a retailer, then make an appointment to file your claim before the one-year deadline runs out.
