Tampa Residents Score Big Playing Lottery

TAMPA, FL — Two Tampa residents are now rolling in the dough thanks to their luck playing the lottery.

The Florida Lottery announced Thursday that Kathryn Williams, 69, of Tampa, claimed a $1 million prize from the new Gold Rush Limited scratch-off game.

She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $795,000.

Williams purchased her winning ticket from Publix at 2724 Hillsboro Plaza in Tampa. The retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning scratch-off ticket.

The lottery's newest $20 scratch-off game, Gold Rush Limited, features 32 top prizes of $5 million and 100 prizes of $1 million. Additionally, there are more than 33,000 prizes of $1,000 to $100,000.

Another Tampa man also won big when he purchased a lottery ticket at his Publix store.

Vincent Demshar, 57, of Tampa, claimed a $1,000 a week for life prize in the Cash4Life game draw Oct. 7 at the New Jersey Lottery Headquarters. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1 million.

Demshar purchased his winning Cash4Life ticket from Publix at 4315 W. Gandy Blvd. in Tampa. Publix will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning ticket.

This popular multi-state game offers two lifetime prizes, with the chance to win $1,000 a day for life or $1,000 a week for life. Florida is the ninth state to join Cash4Life.

Cash4Life drawings are held daily at 9 p.m.