Fantasy 5 winner claims share of $290k jackpot
Wednesday February 23rd 2011A woman from Tallahassee has come forward to claim her share of the $290,750 jackpot prize she won playing the Fantasy 5 lottery game. Cynthia Toplansky validated her ticket with Florida Lottery officials this week following her win on February 19. In return she was handed a cheque for $96,916. The 47-year-old shared the top prize with two other lucky winners who bought their tickets in Jacksonville and Vero Beach.
Ms Toplansky said playing the lottery is something she does regularly, in part because money from the lottery goes towards improving education in the state. Her daughter has just received a 100 per cent Bright Futures scholarship, which is part-funded by lottery money.
In total, more than $22billion has been raised by the Florida Lottery since it was established in 1986. Money not spent on prizes and running costs goes to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. Residents of Florida spent almost $4billion on lottery tickets last year alone.
Ms Toplansky's daughter is one of many young people studying at colleges and universities in the state to have benefited from the scheme. To date, more than 500,000 Bright Futures scholarships have been awarded.
Written by Brett Levenson
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