A quick stop at a gas station in the Florida Panhandle turned into a life-changing moment for Jeremy Smith, a 49-year-old man from Lillian, Alabama. Smith became an instant millionaire after buying a $10 scratch-off ticket at the CEFCO Convenience Store in Gulf Breeze, Florida, located just across Pensacola Bay.
The lucky ticket, a Triple 777, defied the odds, which stand at 1 in 2,692,215 for winning the top $2 million prize. The win was announced by the Florida Lottery on Tuesday, October 22, bringing excitement to both Smith and the local community.
Faced with the decision of how to collect his prize, Smith chose the one-time, lump-sum payment option, taking home $1,280,000 before taxes. His choice means a smaller upfront payout, but the immediate cash prize offers plenty of opportunities for the Alabama resident.
The winning ticket was sold just 20 miles from Smith’s home in Lillian, a small town northwest of Gulf Breeze, near the Alabama-Florida state line. The CEFCO store where the winning ticket was purchased also celebrated the win, earning a $4,000 commission for selling the lucky scratch-off.