Satishkumar Patel, 37, of Manhasset Hills received his ceremonial check from Yolanda Vega for $5 million on Friday.
Patel stopped and decided to play one ticket of the $5 million bankroll game from the New York Lottery. Patel won the largest sum the game offers. The odds of winning that sum were 1 in 3,646,200, according to the New York State Lottery’s website.
“Honestly it was just a random stop,” Patel said in a news release. “I only play two or three times a month.”
Patel purchased his winning ticket at the SH Stationery store on Main Street in Flushing, Queens.
Patel was not initially aware of how much he had won.
“At first I thought I won $500,000,” Patel said. “The next day I realized it was actually $5,000,000.”
Patel will receive a net check totaling $3,359,000 after required withholdings. His winnings make Patel the 93rd person this year to win $1 million or more.
Patel plans to use the money for college educations for his children and a new car for his father, he said.
Pedro Argueta, 59, of Carle Place was also given his ceremonial check for winning $3 million on a 50x the Money game. Argueta has opted to receive his winnings as a lump sum and will receive a check for $1,592,166 after required withholdings.
