Florida man wins $10 million in lottery scratch-off game

May 20, 2015, 8:07 am (10 comments)

Florida Lottery

A Hallandale Beach, Florida, man spent $25 on a Florida Lottery scratch-off card and etched his way into a life-changing, $10 million prize.

Bryan Goldstein, 36, bought his Florida Cash ticket Friday at Stop 'N Go at 800 Atlantic Shores Blvd. in the city.

He claimed his prize as a lump sum — $7,355,576 after taxes were deducted — Monday in Tallahassee, Lottery spokeswoman Meagan Dougherty said.

The odds of winning $10 million on a $25 ticket in this game are 1 in 8.1 million, according to the lottery's website.

Goldstein was familiar to cashier Josefina Skinner, who told store owner Hamdan Saleh that at first, Goldstein wanted four Florida Cash tickets, at $25 each.

"He decided to just try one," Saleh said Tuesday. "He scratched off only the bottom, and let the machine check the ticket for him. A lot of people let the machine do that, because they don't know how to play the game."

As Skinner was scanning the ticket, the machine made a noise and Goldstein told her, "'Please tell me I have to contact Florida Lotto,'" Saleh said. "He was joking around, but it wasn't a joke. He got the good luck."

Goldstein declined to pose for a photograph at lottery headquarters and didn't want to make a big deal about his win, Dougherty said.

He could not be reached for comment Tuesday about his good fortune.

Goldstein told lottery officials he plans to buy a home for his parents and invest the rest.

"He said his dad had held two jobs and worked very hard his whole life and he wanted to give back something to them for all of the sacrifices they made for him," Dougherty said.

If Goldstein had chosen the annuity plan for his prize, he would have received $400,000 per year, over 25 years, Dougherty said.

Stop 'N Go's Saleh, who owns the business and two other stores in Broward County with his uncle, will receive a $20,000 commission for selling the winning ticket.

The Florida Lottery says it helps fund education and contributes to the state economy. Saleh might agree.

"We will invest it in the business," he said about the bonus. "I was planning to expand the cafeteria section, so this will come in handy."

He'll have an IRS bill, too.

"We'll pay taxes on the full amount at the end of the year, and claim it as business income," Saleh said. "My accountant will figure out what we have to pay."

It's not the first time the businessman has seen joyful customers win big prizes at this shop.

"We sold a Fantasy 5 ticket that won $61,333 on Aug. 31, 2014, and we sold a $5,000 scratch-off Gold Rush on Feb. 12," Saleh said.

He wondered if Goldstein will share a bit of his newfound wealth with Skinner, who has likely become the customer's favorite Shop 'N Go clerk.

"I hope he does come back and takes care of her," Saleh said. "We have winners of much smaller prizes who have given to all of my employees in the store. That's very nice, actually."

Sun Sentinel

Comments

Raven62's avatarRaven62

A Lucky Day for Bryan!

ThatScaryChick's avatarThatScaryChick

He wondered if Goldstein will share a bit of his newfound wealth with Skinner, who has likely become the customer's favorite Shop 'N Go clerk.

"I hope he does come back and takes care of her," Saleh said. "We have winners of much smaller prizes who have given to all of my employees in the store. That's very nice, actually."

 

Why does the store owner think Goldstein should take care of the store clerk? No wonder Mr. Goldstein is in hiding and doesn't want to do any promotion. People already have their hands out. Disapprove If he wants to give something to the clerk it should be on his own terms and not because the store owner guilts him into doing it.

Congrats to Bryan Goldstein though. Hopefully he can enjoy his new found weatlh in peace.

Technut's avatarTechnut

Congrats Bryan Goldstein on your lucky win. As for the store owner trying to guilt winner into giving money to clerk is just wrong. That store owner should be the one to give a bonus to his employee for selling the ticket.

music*'s avatarmusic*

Congratulations to Bryan Goldstein indeed !!  I think that  you declining your 15 minutes of fame now is a wise move.

MaximumMillions

Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on May 20, 2015

He wondered if Goldstein will share a bit of his newfound wealth with Skinner, who has likely become the customer's favorite Shop 'N Go clerk.

"I hope he does come back and takes care of her," Saleh said. "We have winners of much smaller prizes who have given to all of my employees in the store. That's very nice, actually."

 

Why does the store owner think Goldstein should take care of the store clerk? No wonder Mr. Goldstein is in hiding and doesn't want to do any promotion. People already have their hands out. Disapprove If he wants to give something to the clerk it should be on his own terms and not because the store owner guilts him into doing it.

Congrats to Bryan Goldstein though. Hopefully he can enjoy his new found weatlh in peace.

I agree, the pan-handling is disgusting to me. Does the shop-owner pay me a dividend on his profits? I think not.

The storeowner should give his employee some of the bonus if he feels that way.

I could see sending a caste of champagne, but other than that...

TheGameGrl's avatarTheGameGrl

Quote: Originally posted by MaximumMillions on May 20, 2015

I agree, the pan-handling is disgusting to me. Does the shop-owner pay me a dividend on his profits? I think not.

The storeowner should give his employee some of the bonus if he feels that way.

I could see sending a caste of champagne, but other than that...

Congrats to this lucky man!

must agree on the suggestion that the store relegate out from its "winning fee for selling the winning ticket" , to its employees. Thats a nice way for store owners to help its employee morale.

HaveABall's avatarHaveABall

Quote: Originally posted by ThatScaryChick on May 20, 2015

He wondered if Goldstein will share a bit of his newfound wealth with Skinner, who has likely become the customer's favorite Shop 'N Go clerk.

"I hope he does come back and takes care of her," Saleh said. "We have winners of much smaller prizes who have given to all of my employees in the store. That's very nice, actually."

 

Why does the store owner think Goldstein should take care of the store clerk? No wonder Mr. Goldstein is in hiding and doesn't want to do any promotion. People already have their hands out. Disapprove If he wants to give something to the clerk it should be on his own terms and not because the store owner guilts him into doing it.

Congrats to Bryan Goldstein though. Hopefully he can enjoy his new found weatlh in peace.

I Agree!, ThatScaryChick!

Lynn-Lynn's avatarLynn-Lynn

Congratulations on your win. I know your parents will be happy they can retire now

dallascowboyfan's avatardallascowboyfan

+1 I Agree!

wizeguy's avatarwizeguy

Congrats Bryan!

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