SARASOTA COUNTY, FL – April 29, 2025 – A North Port resident has become Sarasota County’s latest millionaire thanks to a lucky scratch-off ticket.
Gail Riola, 67, claimed a $1 million prize from the 500X THE CASH Scratch-Off game, according to a release from the Florida Lottery. She chose a one-time lump-sum payout of $640,000.
Riola purchased the winning ticket from Circle K, located at 41 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte. As a result, the retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission from the Lottery.
About the 500X THE CASH Game
The $50 Scratch-Off game offers a top prize of $25 million—the largest ever offered on a Florida Scratch-Off—and boasts some of the best odds to become an instant millionaire. With more than $1.66 billion in available cash prizes, the game has overall odds of 1 in 4.23.
Scratch-Offs Support Florida Education
Scratch-Off games are a major part of the Florida Lottery’s portfolio, making up 74% of all ticket sales in fiscal year 2023–2024. Since its inception, Scratch-Off games have:
Awarded over $65.5 billion in prizes
Created 2,283 millionaires
Contributed more than $19.8 billion to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF)
About the Florida Lottery
Since 1988, the Florida Lottery has contributed over $48 billion to public education and helped send more than one million students to college through the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. To date, Florida Lottery games have paid out more than $98.6 billion in prizes and created over 4,200 millionaires.
For more information, visit floridalottery.com.