Will a $2 Florida Lottery ticket make someone a millionaire? As they say in the lottery business, “it could happen to you.”
After one lucky ticket from a BJ’s Wholesale Club Liquors in Clermont, Florida, matched all six numbers in the Wednesday, Feb. 4, Florida Lotto drawing for $21.5 million, the jackpot reset. The fourth rollover occurred after no one matched all six numbers in the Saturday, Feb. 14, draw. The Florida Lotto grand prize jumped to $2.50 million for Wednesday, Feb. 18. Winning Florida Lotto numbers were 12-30-34-36-38-46. Double Play numbers were 5-8-9-16-21-41. We’ll see if there’s a winner or another chance for more dough.
In case you’re wondering, the winning 2026 Valentine’s Day Florida Lotto numbers were 6-12-27-28-31-40. Double Play numbers were 7-9-23-26-38-47.
Below is what to know about lottery odds, how long to claim the cash option if you bought a ticket in Florida, and what happens to unclaimed prize money, according to the Florida Lottery.
Winning Florida Lotto numbers for Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026? 12-30-34-36-38-46
Florida Lotto drawings are at 11:15 p.m. ET every Wednesday and Saturday, including holidays.
Wednesday, Feb. 18. Winning Florida Lotto numbers were 12-30-34-36-38-46. Double Play numbers were 5-8-9-16-21-41, winning Florida Lotto and Double Play numbers. We’ll see if there’s a winner or another rollover.
Biggest lottery winner ever Edwin Castro, known for $2.04 billion Powerball, claimed the cash on Valentine’s Day
Saturday, Feb. 14, Florida Lotto and Powerball drawings occurred on Valentine’s Day in 2026. Here’s a look back at the significance of that holiday for one very lucky winner.
Edwin Castro of Altadena, California, sole winner of the $2.04 billion Powerball drawing on Nov. 7, 2022, opted for the lump sum, which was just shy of $1 billion, according to the California Lottery. Castro bought the ticket that matched all five numbers plus the Powerball from Joe’s Service Center in Altadena, California.
Declining to appear on camera, Castro claimed his prize on Feb. 14, 2023 − Valentine’s Day − and received a check from the California Lottery for $997.6 million. In California, it is public record to know who won a Powerball, Mega Millions or California Lottery jackpot and where the winning ticket was sold. Rules vary in other states, such as Florida, where it is public record to know who won a lottery jackpot, though winners in that state can claim their grand prize through a trust or LLC.
In October 2025, the Wall Street Journal reported Castro walked away with $768 million.
How do you play Florida Lotto lottery game?
According to Florida Lottery game rules, Florida Lotto players pick 6 numbers between 1 and 53 or select a Quick Pick ticket. There are prizes for matching three to six numbers. Players who match two of 6 winning Florida Lotto numbers get a free ticket.
The Florida Lottery site states game add-ons include Double Play for $1, a bonus drawing where players could win up to $250,000 using the same numbers (Double Play drawings are held immediately after Florida Lotto drawings). Another Florida Lotto game add-on is EZmatch for $1 per play. If players match any EZmatch number to their Florida Lotto numbers, they instantly win that prize.
Tickets start at $2. Good luck!
When was the last Florida Lotto jackpot won? How long the jackpot has rolled over
The Florida Lotto jackpot was last won on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026. BJ’s Wholesale Club Liquors on South Highway 27 in Clermont, Florida, sold the winning Quick Pick ticket worth $21.5 million.
The new lottery jackpot reset at $1 million for the drawing on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2026. Below is a recap of lottery drawings for the latest streak.
When is the next Florida Lotto drawing? What are the odds, chances of winning Florida Lotto lottery?
Florida Lotto drawings are held at 11:15 p.m. ET on Wednesdays and Saturdays, including holidays. According to floridalottery.com, players have a 1 in 22,957,480 chance to match all six numbers whether the jackpot is $1 million or $36 million. Prizes range from $2 to the grand prize jackpot, which varies.
The next Florida Lotto drawing will be Saturday, Feb. 21.
How long do you have to cash in a Florida Lottery ticket?
Prizes for Florida Lottery must be claimed within 180 days (six months) from the date of the drawing. To claim a single-payment cash option, a winner has within the first 60 days after the applicable draw date to claim it.
Does the Florida Lottery reveal lottery winners? Can you stay anonymous if you win lottery in Florida?
According to Florida Lottery’s website, winners cannot remain anonymous: “Florida law mandates that the Florida Lottery provide records containing information such as the winner’s name, city of residence; game won, date won, and amount won to any third party who requests the information.”
However, the site states, the “names of lottery winners claiming prizes of $250,000 or greater will be temporarily exempt from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed, unless otherwise waived by the winner.”
Does Walmart sell lottery tickets? Where to buy lottery tickets in Florida
In Florida, most gas stations and some grocery stores sell lottery tickets. It’s harder to find a gas station that doesn’t sell Powerball, Mega Millions, Florida Lottery and scratch-off tickets than it is to find one that does.
Publix also sells lottery tickets and is known for selling many winning tickets. A lesser-known location is Walmart. 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.
You can use the “Where to Play” search tool on the Florida Lottery website to find a grocery store or gas station near you that sells lottery tickets.
(This story was updated to include new information.)
Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Subscribe to the free Florida TODAY newsletter.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Winning Florida Lotto numbers for Wednesday, Feb. 18, $2.50 million
Reporting by Jennifer Sangalang and Lianna Norman, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Florida Times-Union
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
