Newest Lottery Millionaires Hail from Dutchess, Westchester Counties

YONKERS, NY (11/15/2012)(readMedia)-- The New York Lottery's Yolanda Vega today presented three recent Hudson Valley Lottery winners with over-sized prize checks at Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. The winners won a total of $7,000,000 in scratch-off tickets and draw-game prizes.

Rhinebeck Retiree Wins $1,000,000 Prize on $5,000,000 Multiplier Scratch-Off Game

David Doyle of Rhinebeck, Dutchess County has his poker buddy to thank in part for his recent $1,000,000 win on the $5,000,000 Multiplier scratch-off game. Doyle said he was on his way to pick up his wife at work on when he got a call from his fellow card player.

"As we were talking, my friend mentioned that she had bought one of the $5,000,000 Multiplier tickets earlier that day but didn't win," explained Doyle. "I figured I was going by the same store where she bought her ticket so maybe I should see if my luck would be any better." Doyle said he later learned that only two tickets separated his $1,000,000 winner from his friend's less lucky one. Doyle purchased his ticket at the Hilltop Deli and Market on Albany Post Road in Staatsburg.

Doyle claimed his $1,000,000 prize on October 23 at the Lottery's offices in Fishkill. The $1,000,000 prize on the $5,000,000 Multiplier ticket is paid as a lump sum, netting Doyle a one-time payment totaling $661,800.

Doyle said his plans for the money were a mixed bag. "A small tractor for me, and maybe a vacation with my family."

The New York Lottery contributed $37,661,817.41 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts throughout Dutchess County during fiscal year 2011-2012.

Mount Vernon Resident Wins Top Prize on $5,000,000 Multiplier Scratch-Off Game

Barbara Sherrod of Mount Vernon, Westchester County claimed a $5,000,000 top prize on the $5,000,000 Multiplier scratch-off game on October 20 at the Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway. Sherrod purchased her ticket at her "regular Lottery store," the Show Palace, on East Prospect Avenue in Mount Vernon. "That's where I brought my ticket to scan it, too," said the new millionaire.

Sherrod will receive her $5,000,000 prize in one lump sum payment, netting her a total of $3,309,000. She said her plans for the money include making some investments and paying off some bills.

Scarsdale Resident Wins $1,000,000 Powerball Second Prize

Allen Martin of Scarsdale, Westchester County was running errands on September 14 when he stopped into the Tanglewood Stationery Store on Central Park Avenue in Yonkers to buy a ticket for the next evening's Powerball drawing for a jackpot of $131,000,000.

"The jackpot was high," recalled Martin adding, "but I probably would have bought a ticket anyway. I just like the game." Martin purchased five sets of Quick Pick numbers for the September 15 drawing and checked his numbers online soon after.

Martin said he checked his numbers on the Lottery's website Sunday morning and realized he had the first five. "I kept going back and re-checking the numbers because things like this don't happen every day."

Martin claimed his Powerball prize October 15 at the Lottery's Customer Service Center in Garden City. "I waited because I wasn't ready for all the publicity that comes with winning $1,000,000," said the newly minted millionaire.

Martin will receive his $1,000,000 prize in one lump sum payment totaling $661,800 after required withholdings. Martin said his plan for the windfall is simple. "I'll put it away until I can come up with a plan to spend it."

The New York Lottery contributed $63,526,317.29 in Lottery Aid to Education to school districts throughout Westchester 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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