An Ocala resident just claimed a $500,000 top prize from a Florida Lottery scratch-off ticket purchased at a local gas station.
According to state lottery records, the winning ticket for the “$500,000 Cash Blowout” game was claimed on Monday, July 20. The winning scratch-off was purchased at the Lake Weir Marathon, located at 3820 SE Lake Weir Avenue in Ocala.
The identity of the winner has not yet been released per Florida Statute 24.1051, which bars names of lottery winners who claim prizes valued at $250,000 or more from public disclosure for 90 days from the date the prize is claimed.
This latest half-million-dollar win adds to a notable run of lottery wins across Marion County over the past several months.
Earlier this year, another Ocala resident claimed $1 million from a scratch-off he purchased at a local liquor store. That resident elected to take a one-time lump-sum payout of $556,000 and subsequently purchased a 0.43-acre lot in Anthony for $85,000 in May.
Around the same time, an Ocklawaha man claimed a $10 million Powerball Double Play grand prize from a ticket that he bought in nearby Leesburg.
Additionally, a $2,500-a-week-for-life winning ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven just south of the county line, and two separate six-figure Fantasy 5 tickets were sold at the exact same Publix less than 72 hours apart.
What would you do if you won a $500,000 lottery prize? Share your thoughts in a comment below or write a letter to the editor.