Florida Lottery players are fond of saying “it could happen.”
For a couple of scratch-off players, it did, with a prize ranking right up with there with some Powerball jackpots.
In May, one scratch-off player turned a $20 scratch-off ticket bought at Publix into $10 million.
Another spent $10 to win $2 million.
➤ Florida Lottery numbers from Aug. 16, 2026, drawings
On May 2, 2026, two Powerball tickets — one sold in Kissimmee, Florida, and another in Texas — matched matched all five numbers plus the Powerball to win $20 million jackpot, which had to be split.
➤ Florida, Texas Powerball players won $20 million. What they took home
Here’s where the May scratch-off winners were sold.
Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket worth $10 million sold at Punta Gorda Publix
Chuan Bao Chen, 45, of Punta Gorda, claimed a $10 million top prize from the Gold Rush Legacy scratch-off game on May 11, the Florida Lottery announced Aug. 17.
Chen chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $6,030,000.
The ticket was bought at a Publix on Tamiami Trail in Punta Gorda.
About the game:
Scratch-off ticket worth $2 million sold in Saint Petersburg
Charles Cuozzo, 58, of Kenneth City, claimed a $2 million top prize from the Scorching Hot 7s scratch-off game at the Lottery’s Tampa District Office on May 1.
Cuozzo chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $1,172,000.
The ticket was bought at Golden Food on 46th Avenue North in Saint Petersburg.
For $10, the SCORCHING HOT 7s Scratch-Off game offers four top prizes of $2 million. With over 118 million cash prizes, including more than 4.6 million winning tickets, you are in for a hotter-than-ever fun experience. Overall odds of winning are 1-in-3.39.
About the game:
Why the delay in announcing Florida Lottery winners?
In accordance with Florida Statutes, the names of lottery winners and their city of residence are public record and may be released by the Florida Lottery after 90 days, according to the Florida Lottery.
How long do you have to cash in Florida Lottery ticket?
Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days from the date of the drawing.
To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.
You also can claim your winnings by mail if the prize is $250,000 or less. Mail your ticket to the Florida Lottery with the required documentation.
Florida law requires public disclosure of winners
If you’re a winner, Florida law mandates the following information is public record:
Where can I buy a lottery ticket in Florida? Do Walmart, Publix sell tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at any authorized retailer throughout Florida, including gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores.
Publix sells lottery tickets and is known for selling many winning tickets. Walmart also sells lottery tickets. Whether the Walmart location closest to you sells lottery tickets depends on your state and the store. Many Walmart locations in Florida have self-service lottery ticket vending machines or sell lottery tickets at the customer service desk.
To find a retailer near you, go to Find Florida Lottery Retailers.
When are Florida Lottery drawings held?
Cheryl McCloud is a journalist for the USA TODAY Network-Florida’s service journalism Connect team. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://tcpalm.com/newsletters.
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida Lottery ticket worth $10 million, and it wasn’t Powerball
Reporting by Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Fort Myers News-Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Cheryl McCloud, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
