By Todd Northrop
HARTSDALE, N.Y. — A 66-year-old man who's played the lottery his entire adult life is the newest lottery millionaire in New York.
Michael Marks has been playing the lottery in the same store every day since the 1960s.
That persistence paid off when he won a $10,000,000 prize on a $10,000 a Week for Life scratch-off ticket he bought while grabbing coffee at A-Plus in the Sunoco gas station at 17 N. Central Ave. in Hartsdale.
"This is my store," Marks told the New York State Lottery. "I come in here every day for a cup of coffee and my scratch-off tickets."
This time, he knew he'd won something big when he scanned his ticket.
"The machine lit up and said big winner, see lottery agent," he said. "I asked the retailer for a pen, locked myself in the bathroom and signed the ticket."
Marks opted to receive his prize in annual installments of $520,000 a year every year for the rest of his life. He'll receive $349,336 a year after withholdings.
"This really is amazing," Marks said. "I really haven't given much thought to how I'll spend the money yet. Right now, I just plan to enjoy life."
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WTG MM: Congrat and Live a Long Life!
He locked himself in the bathroom!! LOL!!!
I wonder if he did that because in addition to having just won 10 million he also had a "laundry problem"?
I guarantee you I'd have had one if I just one ten mill. G5
Congrats Michael !!! Enjoy for years to come.
I am a bit curious about this story though... He is 66 which means he was born in 1952 or very late 1951.
I wasn't aware of the lottery being around that early but it is NY and I have no interest in their lottery history
Did they allow someone under 18 to play the lottery back in the 1960's ? (provided he was born in 52).
Yes if he was born in late 1951 he could have started playing for a few months in 1969
Doesn't matter that much in the bigger picture....
Have a fantastic enjoyable life Mr. Marks, you ole lottery player you !!
Now about receiving the annual installments. It appears that he did not get good financial advice. I hope that there is more to this story and we are not getting it. Like, can his heirs receive the annual installments? Can they cash in the rest of the checks soon after he passes?
https://nylottery.ny.gov/help#what-if-i-die-i-receive-all-my-jackpot-payments
https://www.nylottery.org/information/cash-versus-annuity
Thank You CDanaT for your help.
I do not know how his heirs will be taxed when they inherit the rest of the prize.
I hope that the winner lives a good long life.
Usually those prizes only are guaranteed up to 20 years then expire, but fully transfer for the full duration of the 20 years. If you end up living longer the stay with you for the duration of your life span, however are only guaranteed for 20.
The New York Lottery began in 1967 as the third modern U.S. lottery, after Puerto Rico's began in 1934, and New Hampshire's in 1964. As part of the New York State Gaming Commission,[1]
Prior to the 20th century, lotteries were used in New York to raise revenue for non-educational needs. New York City Hall was built in part with lottery proceeds. Other lotteries helped build and repair canals, roads, ferries, and bridges. Lotteries also were held for non-public needs. They helped develop New York City's manufacturing industries. Churches were built, rebuilt, or improved with lottery funds.
Well isn't that interesting!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_Lottery
He played hard for a long time and won! Good for him.
Lol
Congratulations on your big win! There's hope for me.
Yolanda you haven't aged a bit, looking good as usual.
I was wondering the same thing. I wonder how he managed to stay in the same spot for 60 years. Unusual for NY.
Music: A winner's annual payouts according to the CA lottery will go to their family, if they pass away. Payments do not terminate, just because one is no longer in the land of the living.
There is No " small print" with the words " payment seizes upon death."
That's some dedication to consistent playing!
I remember when I was a kid and hearing some old men talking about how important it was to be regular.
Now I know what they meant.
PERSEVERANT !
"Right now, I just plan to enjoy life." Amen to that Michael Marks. His unwavering support and persistence paid off.
Bleudog101, Yolanda Vega of New York! Mary Neubauer from Iowa Lottery! Karen Bach of Arizona Lottery! Donna Cordova of California lottery!
Any other women lottery officials out there?
at 66 I would take the CASH no Annuity and live it up
someone who has gone to the same store every day for 51 years is unlikely to need more than 350k a year to live it up with. he wants to leave the annuity to his nieces as he isn't the most healthy looking guy at the not that old age of 66 around. this was the right decision as his nieces will reap more out of this than if he took the cash.
Congrats a true definition of "follow through" and "keeping the faith"
Wow- " he isn't the most healthy looking guy"- you should see some of the Chinese folk walking the neighborhood, bent over, with canes & in their 80's & 90's. I would say they have lived a full life. Don't judge a book by it's cover Billy..
he looks old for 66 pure and simple. if he has lived a full life fine. he is past the 3/4 pole and heading into the stretch if you know what that means. he is astute enough to know that taking the annuity will reap more revenue than if he took the lump sum. seems like he knows he will never spend much of it.
Is he related to Karl? If he is also a socialist, hopefully he will use his new wealth to help others.
I am not far behind you ronki. With these decently sized jackpots, MM & PB, live it up!
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Good for that 66 year old.
It's also interesting the same store has been open that long. :)
Congratulations