News from New York Lottery

For more information contact: Communications, 518-388-3415; email: questions@lottery.state.ny.us Web:nylottery.org

New York Lottery Opens New Buffalo Customer Service Center

SCHENECTADY, NY (04/08/2008; 1100)(readMedia)-- Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown, New York Lottery Jackpot Announcer Ralph Buckley and Lottery Drawing Personality Marissa Rodriguez were among the dignitaries on hand this morning to cut the ribbon on the New York Lottery’s new Customer Service Center in Buffalo. Lottery Director Gordon Medenica kicked off the celebration, noting the Lottery’s service to the community extends far beyond the brick and mortar facility.

“In just the last calendar year alone, our Buffalo Customer Service Center assisted more than 7,000 prize winners and paid out more than $19,000,000 in prizes to our players,” said Medenica. “In addition to the work being done in this building everyday, we are doing even more in the community as our staff services more than 1,700 licensed Lottery retailers across the greater Buffalo area. Last year, their efforts resulted in close to $30,000,000 in commissions for our retailers across the region and more than $157,000,000 in Lottery Aid to Education for school districts across Erie County.”

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown congratulated the Lottery on its continued support of the Greater Buffalo region and presented Director Medenica with a proclamation honoring the occasion.

"On behalf of the residents of Buffalo, I am pleased to participate in the grand opening of the New York Lottery's new Customer Service Center and I commend the Lottery for its continuing support of Buffalo and our region," said Mayor Brown.

The Lottery’s popular jackpot announcer Ralph Buckley, known by millions for his appearances in a variety of award-winning Lottery jackpot commercials, joined with Lottery Drawings Personality Marissa Rodriguez to award a ceremonial prize check to one of Western New York’s newest top-prize winners.

The pair presented the over-sized prize check to 49-year-old Nancy Smith of Dunkirk (Chautauqua County). Smith, a caretaker for her ailing fiancée of three years, is the newest winner of the Lottery’s popular Win $500 a Week For Life instant game. The $1 game guarantees a minimum payout of $500,000. She will receive her prize in quarterly payments for a minimum of 20 years. Her initial check, after taxes, will total $7,496. Subsequent checks will total $4,430, after taxes.

Smith said she has modest plans for her prize money. “I want to buy some wildflowers for my garden,” she said. “Beyond that, I haven’t thought of anything.”

Smith purchased her winning Win $500 a Week For Life instant ticket on March 2, 2008 at Matt’s News on 3rd Street in Dunkirk. She claimed her prize by mailing her ticket to the Lottery’s Prize Payment Unit headquartered in Schenectady.

Since 1967, the New York Lottery has generated more than $31 billion to help support education in New York State, including a record $2.3 billion in fiscal year 2006-2007 on incoming revenue of $7.18 billion. For more information, contact the New York Lottery Communications office at 518-388-3415 or email questions@lottery.state.ny.us.

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