Escambia Teen Claims $3 Million Lottery Prize

September 1, 2015

The Florida Lottery announced Monday that Tyler Stone, 19, of Pensacola, claimed a $3 million top prize in the $600 million GOLD RUSH Scratch-Off game at Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $2,228,340. Stone purchased his winning ticket from Raceway, located at 7271 Pensacola Boulevard, just south of I-10.

The $20 Scratch-Off game, $600,000,000 GOLD RUSH launched in September 2014. The overall odds of winning are 1 in 2.95.

Comments

17 Responses to “Escambia Teen Claims $3 Million Lottery Prize”

  1. A Mom on September 2nd, 2015 6:32 am

    Most people take the lump sum, due to the fact, what would happen if all of a sudden the money became unavailable or maybe nobody likes to think anything would happen to them but just in case it does their families would still have the money, if not the money stops. To Tyler, treat yourself just a little but first find a really really good financial advisor & not some ill fated family member & yes be extra aware of new & certain friends & family members.

  2. ricardo on September 1st, 2015 9:14 pm

    I’m so happy for this guy, I’m also 19 and I play the lottery when I have money to spare. I’m really happy because he’s the same age as me and isn’t old. I know I’m going to win it, man I just wanna see the look on his face right now best feeling you could feel i guess :)

  3. David Huie Green on September 1st, 2015 5:08 pm

    That was poor math on my part.
    Assuming you usually break even a third of the time and starting with $300, you usually go from $300 to $100 to $33 to $11 to maybe $4…
    With a chance — a small chance — of winning big, until the money is all gone.

    David for better math

  4. David Huie Green on September 1st, 2015 4:47 pm

    “1 in 2.95 are excellent odds.”

    Chance of loss: 1.95 in 2.95

    I imagine most wins are another ticket.
    Call it 2 in 3
    Start with $300
    Win $200 worth of tickets.
    Play them
    Win $67 worth of tickets.
    Play until it’s all gone or you win $3 million, whichever comes first.

    Play again when you get some more money.
    Keep back a little to feed your children if you have any.

    David for winners

  5. Well on September 1st, 2015 11:57 am

    If I won I’m not sure I would want everyone knowing. “Everyone” is going to be his friend now

  6. Susan on September 1st, 2015 10:45 am

    Have some fun with it, but invest most of it wisely young man. Congratulations!

  7. barbara agerton on September 1st, 2015 10:35 am

    Congrats, that is wonderful,please build your future with it.

  8. William on September 1st, 2015 10:28 am

    >>>Something doesn’t seem wore right…600,000,000 and he takes a one lump payment and only gets 2 million something

    Read the story again. He won the $3 million top prize in the $600 million game.

  9. CW on September 1st, 2015 10:21 am

    I wouldn’t have given up $800k just to get a lump sum. Oh well, maybe he’s responsible enough not to blow it all.

  10. Monica Miller on September 1st, 2015 9:39 am

    Something doesn’t seem wore right…600,000,000 and he takes a one lump payment and only gets 2 million something….19yrs of age, why.would he take a 1 time payment.

  11. Don on September 1st, 2015 9:20 am

    You have received a gift use it wisely,your young,please don’t squander it foolishly

  12. molinoman on September 1st, 2015 9:14 am

    Too bad he is 19, chances are he’ll blow through it in 6 years. I don’t think a teen has the maturity to handle that much money if they have never had that much money. I know several older teens in my life get huge inheritances and now flat broke by 30. Nine times out of ten they end up using drugs and it gets out of control. Best of luck to him, he’ll have friends and family he never knew he had.

  13. Excited on September 1st, 2015 9:11 am

    Tyler,
    This is amazing news for you. I know your beyond thrilled control. Your a young man, if you invest wisely and plan, you will be set for life. So many people win big and blow it all within a couple years or even less…
    Or you have a ton of friends, family etc. that haven’t spoke to you in years coming out of the wood work now to be your best friend, only to obtain funds…..
    I pray for you, because you will need the strength to make the right decisions…
    Good Luck to you…

  14. Gary on September 1st, 2015 8:49 am

    19 years old and over $2,000,000 in cash. I pray that he is smart enough to get a good financial advisor and handle it well. If invested properly, he could be set for the rest of his life.
    If he starts blowing it on new Corvette’s, boats, houses, vacations, etc… he will be broke by 23 years of age.

    Good luck and please go away for a while and don’t even consider taking the calls from all the friends and family that will be begging you for money and ideas on how to invest.

  15. jeeperman on September 1st, 2015 8:13 am

    Congrats!
    Now you will be the most popular 19 year old in Escambia County.

    Be wise, be very wise.

  16. BT on September 1st, 2015 8:02 am

    Somebody’s about to get a lot of bad financial advice.

  17. Lees ident on September 1st, 2015 5:56 am

    1 in 2.95 are excellent odds.