Two ordinary grocery runs turned into serious paydays this week when Quick Pick tickets printed at a pair of Publix stores hit in Tuesday's Fantasy 5 drawings. One ticket from a Lakeland Publix is worth about $54,380, while another sold in St. Augustine is valued at roughly $105,246. The winners will still need to go through the Florida Lottery claims process to officially collect their cash.
Where the winning tickets were bought
Tuesday's midday Fantasy 5 numbers, 5, 10, 18, 20 and 25, matched a Quick Pick printed at the Publix at 3636 Harden Blvd. in Lakeland, delivering about $54,380 for the ticket holder. The evening draw, with numbers 1, 10, 17, 23 and 35, lined up with a Quick Pick purchased at the Publix at 250 Plaza Blvd. in St. Augustine and is worth about $105,246. These details were reported by the Miami Herald.
How winners claim their money
Prizes of $600 or more are generally claimed in person at a Florida Lottery district office, and draw-game winners have 180 days from the draw date to file a claim. Claimants must sign the back of the ticket, bring a valid photo ID and complete the Florida Lottery Winner Claim Form, and federal tax withholding applies to larger payouts. The Florida Lottery explains the walk-in and mail options and the documents winners should bring.
Publix's hot streak and what to do next
Publix registers have been spitting out a steady stream of mid-five- and six-figure Fantasy 5 payouts across Florida this spring, a trend that local outlets have been tracking. Earlier this season, Publix double-hit days were highlighted for how often Quick Pick slips printed at grocery terminals have shown up among winners.
If you think you might be holding a winning ticket, the advice is straightforward. Sign it immediately, validate it at the retailer's scanner, then follow the Florida Lottery claim checklist. Before choosing how you want to receive your payout, consider talking with a tax or financial adviser so you know exactly what kind of windfall you are walking into.
