Monroe County Home to Two New Lottery Millionaires

ROCHESTER, NY (11/08/2012)(readMedia)-- The New York Lottery's Gretchen Dizer presented two Monroe County Lottery winners with over-sized prize checks today at the Lottery's Customer Service Center in Rochester. The winners included a long time online Lotto subscription player and a $1,000,000 Prism Payout scratch-off winner.

Online Lotto Subscriber Wins $16,500,000 Jackpot

Gail Cappella, of Rochester, started her Lotto subscription 16 years ago, but rarely checked her numbers to see if she won a prize. Cappella was admittedly shocked when the Lottery officials called to deliver the news that she won the $16,500,000 jackpot from the October 13 drawing.

"I thought someone was playing a practical joke on me," explained Cappella. "I was surrounded by my co-workers when they called and really didn't know how to react. I rarely check my numbers, so I'm glad they called with the good news."

Cappella opted to receive her $16,500,000 jackpot prize in one lump sum payment with a cash value of $11,634,671. Her net check will total $7,699,825 after required withholdings.

"Winning this money will allow me to retire comfortably and help out my children," explained Cappella.

The New York Lottery subscription program was established in 1981 so players could purchase multiple drawing tickets for Lotto. Lotto subscriptions were first offered on the internet in November 2005. Mega Millions mail-in subscriptions were offered in January 2007 and internet play followed in May 2007. In September 2010, the subscription program was significantly upgraded to offer an enhanced web-based product with new player options. Players can purchase an online group subscription, view prize winnings from a secure player account, and make various multi-draw purchases for Lotto and Mega Millions instead of the standard 26 or 52 week plans offered via traditional "play by mail".

Rochester Woman is First Jackpot Winner on the Lottery's New Prism Payout Scratch-Off Ticket

Dorothy West, of Rochester, regularly plays the Lottery's new Prism Payout scratch-off game because she likes its colorful graphics. Now she has one million more reasons to like it. West was the first player statewide to win one of the four $1,000,000 jackpot prizes.

"I really like the bright colors on the ticket," explained West. "I knew right away it was a million dollar winner and hid the ticket in a cupboard overnight. Needless to say I didn't get much sleep that night!"

The winning ticket was purchased at Sunset Lanes on Chili Avenue in Rochester on October 24. West claimed her prize the next day at the Lottery's Customer Service Center in Rochester. The $1,000,000 top prize on the Prism Payout scratch-off game is paid in 20 annual payments of $50,000. West's annual net check will total $33,090 after required withholdings. West said she is not sure of her plans for the money yet, other than to save some of it.

The New York Lottery contributed $157,204,810.72 in Lottery Aid To Education to school districts throughout Monroe County during fiscal year 2011-2012.

About the New York Lottery

The New York Lottery continues to be North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, contributing nearly $2.9 billion in fiscal year 2011-2012 to help support education in New York State. The Lottery's contribution represents nearly 15 percent of total state education aid to local school districts.

New York Lottery revenue is distributed to local school districts by the same statutory formula used to distribute other state aid to education. It takes into account both a school district's size and its income level; larger, lower-income school districts receive proportionately larger shares of Lottery school funding.

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