$8m handed over to New York Lottery winners
Tuesday December 21st 2010A group of four lottery players have come together to collect cash prizes totalling $8million ahead of the Christmas break. The winners, who come from a variety of backgrounds, all owe their new fortunes to a variety of New York Lottery games.
Knute Hagen, 84, of Yaphank, Suffolk County, played the state’s Sweet Million game on November 29 and won the $1million jackpot prize. Hagen, whose family moved to America from Norway in 1950, said he plans to use the winnings to pay off his mortgage and treat his family.
Cynthia Canete, who moved to New York from the Philippines in 2005 in search of a better life, will receive $5,000 a week for life after deciding to buy lotto tickets and claiming the jackpot prize on a Set For Life instant win scratchcard. The 54-year-old mother of five is guaranteed to receive at least $5million.
Manhattan accountant William Morris has managed to scoop a $1million prize. After dreaming of winning the lottery, he had to face the reality on December 4 when he correctly picked five out of six numbers in the Quick Pick draw. And by choosing to pay an extra $1 for the Power Play feature, Mr Morris had his prize bumped up from $200,000 to a cool $1million.
Joining Mr Morris as a December 4 Power Play winner was the Manso family from Brooklyn, who also walked away with $1million after matching five numbers.