Fort Lauderdale man wins $1 million scratch-off prize

Scott J. Havericak chose a one-time, lump-sum payment of more than $800,000

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Lottery announced Tuesday a Fort Lauderdale man has claimed the latest Millionaire Scratch-Off ticket prize.

35-year-old Scott J. Havericak claimed the $1 million prize in the 25th Anniversary Edition game at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee.

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Two top prizes of $5 million and 13 $1 million prizes remain to be won in the game, the Florida Lottery said.

Havericak chose to receive the winnings in a one-time, lump-sum payment in the amount of $816,935.66. He purchased his winning Scratch-Off ticket at the Publix at 601 South Andrews Avenue in Fort Lauderdale.

The special 25th Anniversary Scratch-Off ticket, reminiscent of the Lottery's very first Scratch-Off game, Millionaire, launched in celebration of 25 years of the Florida Lottery giving back to players. The game features over $290 million in total cash prizes, including 25 prizes ranging from $1 million to $5 million, and the highest prize payout percentage ever in Florida Lottery history. This ticket features one-in-2.87 overall odds of winning, the best overall odds of any Scratch-Off game currently available from the Florida Lottery, a press release from the government-run organization said.

The Florida Lottery offers approximately 60 Scratch-Off games at any given time through vending machines or counter displays at more than 13,000 retailers statewide. Scratch-Off games make up about up about 58 percent of ticket sales and generated more than $495 million for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund in fiscal year 2011-12.