A fortunate resident of Miami-Dade County struck it big with a Florida Lottery scratch-off game. At 55, Miozotis Quintana from Cutler Bay claimed the $1 million top prize from the Platinum Mine 9X scratch-off game at the Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee. Officials confirmed this on Wednesday, noting that her $5 investment in a ticket purchased at Publix on Old Cutler Road yielded the substantial win.
Quintana opted for a one-time lump-sum payout of $605,016. The Publix store where she bought the winning ticket has been awarded a $2,000 bonus commission for facilitating the sale of the lucky ticket.
The Florida Lottery highlighted the significance of scratch-off games in its operations, comprising approximately 74 percent of ticket sales for the fiscal year 2023-2024. Since their inception, these games have distributed over $65.5 billion in prizes, created 2,283 millionaires, and contributed more than $19.80 billion to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund.
The Tangible Impact
- Economic Boost: Quintana’s substantial winnings and the retailer’s bonus commission inject money directly into the local economy, potentially benefiting local businesses.
- Community Pride: The win might foster a sense of pride and excitement within Cutler Bay, encouraging more participation in lottery games.
- Educational Funding: The contribution to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund supports educational initiatives across Florida, potentially impacting local schools and students.
- Retailer Incentives: The bonus commission for selling winning tickets incentivizes retailers to promote lottery sales, potentially increasing business traffic.
- Public Interest: High-profile wins like this one can boost public interest in lottery games, driving increased sales and funding for state programs.