Mega Millions winning ticket bought in Suffolk
One lucky person - or group of people - is a lot richer for the holidays thanks to a $162 million lottery ticket bought at a Rocky Point store, according to lottery officials.
The winner, who has not yet come forward, played Quick Pick and chose a lump sum, said state lottery spokeswoman Jennifer Givner.
One ticket in Tuesday's drawing matched all six numbers: 3-33-35-39-45 and the Megaball, 13. The cash value of the lump sum is expected to be more than $100 million before taxes, Givner said.
It's not the first time that card shop owner Sonny Zaveri, 58, of Coram, has sold a valuable winning lottery ticket. About 10 years ago, his store sold one worth $6 million, he said Wednesday.
"Yesterday, we probably sold a thousand tickets," Zaveri said.
Zaveri, who has owned the store for 25 years, greeted regular customers and accepted congratulations Wednesday. Selling the winning ticket means his store, wedged between a liquor store and a Chinese restaurant in a strip mall, will collect a $10,000 payout.
Customer Isaac Clark, 77, of Rocky Point, said he wished he was the lucky one. "I would help a lot of people," he said. "I would take care of myself and my family."
The twice-a-week drawing prize started at $12 million on Nov. 13 and continued to roll over without a winner until Tuesday.
New York, one of a dozen states that participates, has had six Mega Millions winners so far this year. Two were from Long Island: Janet Alnwick, of Merrick, won $22 million in January; and Isabel Zelaya, of Wyandanch, won $26 million in March.
The only other previous Mega Millions winner from Long Island was Henrietta Henderson, of Uniondale, who won $34 million in July, 2003.
The biggest Mega Millions winner from New York State was Jimmy Groves, of the Bronx, who got $168 million as half of a $336 million jackpot on Aug. 28.
The record jackpot for the game was $390 million in March 2007, when two winning tickets were sold in Georgia and New Jersey.
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'Tis the season for the NewsdayTV Holiday Show! The NewsdayTV team looks at the most wonderful time of the year and the traditions that make it special on LI.
'Tis the season for the NewsdayTV Holiday Show! The NewsdayTV team looks at the most wonderful time of the year and the traditions that make it special on LI.
