TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. – A stop at the supermarket became a life-changing event for a 35-year-old Tarpon Springs woman. Jessica Henri recently visited the Florida Lottery’s Tampa District Office to claim a $1 million top prize from the $1,000,000 Holiday Ca$h scratch-off game.
The winning ticket was sold at the Publix located at 40932 U.S. Highway 19 North in Tarpon Springs. According to lottery officials, Henri decided to bypass the annuity option, opting instead for a single, lump-sum payout of $606,700.00.
The $20 holiday-themed game, which launched with over $125 million in total cash prizes, offers players 21 different ways to win on a single ticket. While Henri took home the $1 million prize, the game features more than 3 million winning tickets in total, with overall odds of winning set at 1-in-2.68.
READ: Florida Man Turns Five Dollars Into $584,000 Cash From Lottery Scratch-Off
Florida law dictates that the names and home cities of lottery winners are a matter of public record, though the state provides a 90-day grace period before this information is released to the public.
Beyond the individual wins, the Florida Lottery plays a significant role in the state’s infrastructure. Since its inception in 1988, the organization has generated over $49 billion for Florida’s education system.
These funds specifically support the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, which has helped over a million students attend colleges and vocational schools across the state.
Lottery officials note that approximately 99 percent of their revenue is funneled back into the Florida economy via prize payouts, retail commissions for over 13,000 businesses, and educational transfers.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox
