Personal Finance

Tampa Man 'Struck By Luck' After Buying $1M Lottery Ticket

The store where Demetrios Valaes usually buys his lottery tickets was especially busy, so Valaes decided to try a store down the street.

A change of venue proved to be lucky for a Tampa man who claimed the first $1 million top prize in the Struck By Luck scratch-off game.
A change of venue proved to be lucky for a Tampa man who claimed the first $1 million top prize in the Struck By Luck scratch-off game. (Florida Lottery)

TAMPA, FL — The store where Demetrios Valaes usually buys his Florida Lottery scratch-off game tickets was especially busy, so Valaes decided to try a store down the street.

The change of venue proved to be lucky for the Tampa man who claimed the first $1 million top prize in the Struck By Luck scratch-off game.

"We definitely felt struck by luck after that split-decision turned into a $1 million win," Valaes said.

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He purchased his winning ticket from the Rainbow Food Mart at 3302 S. West Shore Blvd. in Tampa, and chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $880,000.

The store will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning scratch-off ticket.

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The Struck By Luck game gives players the chance to win prizes of up to $1 million. The game's overall odds of winning are 1-in-3.36.

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