$25M FL Lottery Prize Claimed By Lee County Man

BONITA SPRINGS, FL — A Lee County man claimed the $25 million top prize playing the 500X The Cash scratch-off game, according to a Florida Lottery news release.

George Demetriades of Bonita Springs chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $20.56 million. He claimed his prize at Florida Lottery’s district office in Fort Myers.

Demetriades purchased his winning ticket from the Circle K at 10460 Bonita Beach Road in Bonita Springs. The retailer will receive a $50,000 bonus commission.

500X THE CASH, a $50 game, features a top prize of $25 million — the largest ever offered on a Florida scratch-off game — and the best odds to become an instant millionaire, Florida Lottery said. The game's overall odds of winning are 1-in-4.50.