Lottery player wins life-changing prize on scratch-off ticket bought at Florida Publix
A lottery player’s stop at a Florida Publix store paid off — handsomely.
Walter Sheard spent $50 on a 500X The Cash scratch-off game and walked away with a $1 million win, according to the Florida Lottery.
The Ponte Vedra Beach man bought the lucky ticket at a Publix in Jacksonville Beach, officials said in a Dec. 10 news release. The retailer was paid a $2,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
Sheard claimed his prize at lottery headquarters, choosing a lump sum payment of $640,000, officials said in a news release. He beat odds of 1-in-274,004 to win the $1 million prize.
Sheard didn’t say how he plans to spend his winnings.
A single $25 million top prize remains in the 500X The Cash scratch-off game as of Dec. 10, according to the lottery’s website.
Winners have 60 days from the end of a game to claim their prize, the Florida Lottery said. Players are encouraged to check and sign their tickets.
Jacksonville Beach is about a 20-mile drive east from downtown Jacksonville.