A Gainesville resident has claimed the $1-million top prize in a Florida Lottery scratch-off game.
Hemang Patel, 40, claimed his prize Tuesday at the Florida Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee, a lottery news release stated.
Patel said he would prefer not to comment on the prize.
Connie Barnes, a Florida Lottery spokeswoman, said the winning $20 ticket was bought at X-tra Beverage Discount Store at 119 N.E. 16th Ave.
Patel will receive $750,000 after taxes are taken out, Barnes said.
This is the top prize in the Maximum Millions scratch-off game, which started July 14, she said.
"People win lots of games every day, but not at that level," she said.
Barnes said the odds of winning again in Gainesville haven't changed because of Patel's win.
"Odds aren't based on location; they're based on the game and the number of people who play," she said. "Someone could win again tomorrow."
