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Luck had a common name last Sunday, October 5, in Florida: Publix.
Three winning tickets from the afternoon drawing of the popular game Fantasy 5 of the Florida Lottery were sold at stores of this supermarket chain, two of them in the southern part of the state and the third in the company's headquarters city, Lakeland, in Central Florida.
Although the prizes did not reach million-dollar amounts, each ticket represented an unexpected gain of over $32,000 for its fortunate holders.
Unlike other lotteries that usually distribute their prizes among multiple establishments and regions, the Sunday evening draw had a striking feature: the only three winning tickets were purchased at Publix stores.
The coincidence did not go unnoticed by the regular players, many of whom wondered if the machine had been touched by a special streak of good luck.
The winning numbers for the Fantasy 5 in the nightly draw were 06, 11, 15, 20, and 32. Each ticket matched the exact combination, making them winners of $32,680.82, as confirmed by the Florida Lottery.
The three Publix stores where the winning tickets were sold were:
Publix at 555 NE Fifth Avenue, in Delray Beach, Palm Beach County, quick selection ticket.
Publix at 18496 NW 67th Avenue, Miami, an area known as Country Club of Miami, also quick selection.
Publix on Griffin Road, Lakeland, the city where the corporate offices of the chain are located.
With these results, Publix achieved a rare kind of "triple", completely dominating the distribution of major prizes of the day among the drawings of Fantasy 5 and Cash4Life.
How and where to claim the prize
For the fortunate winners, the process for claiming the prize money is clear, although it is subject to specific rules. According to the regulations of the Florida Lottery, prizes from Fantasy 5 that exceed 600 dollars must be claimed in person at a district office of the Lottery.
In South Florida, winners have two main options:
Miami Office: located at 14621 Oak Ln., Miami Lakes, open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can contact us at 305-364-3080 or via email at MIARC@flalottery.com.
Palm Beach Office: at 4360 Forest Hill Blvd., Palm Springs, available at the same hours, with assistance at 561-640-6190 and the email WPBRC@flalottery.com.
It is not necessary to make an appointment in advance, although it is recommended to streamline the process. It is also possible to claim smaller prizes (up to $250,000) by mail, sending the ticket along with the appropriate documentation.
Mandatory transparency: Public data of the winner
Florida has a strict transparency policy regarding lottery prizes.
By law, anyone claiming a prize is publicly registered, which means their full name, city of residence, amount won, date of the draw, type of game, and the name of the establishment where the ticket was purchased will be disclosed.
This measure aims to ensure confidence in the system, although it has also been the subject of debate, especially among winners who prefer to remain anonymous.
The context behind the game: Where the lottery money goes
Beyond dreams of wealth and winning tickets, the Florida Lottery has become a key source of funding for the state's educational system.
Since its establishment in 1988, it has transferred more than 49 billion dollars to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF), according to updated data as of July 2025.
From every dollar raised through ticket sales, approximately 25 cents are directly allocated to this fund. Additionally, when a prize is not claimed within the regulatory 180 days, 80% of that amount is automatically transferred to the EETF, further enhancing its impact.
The resources collected are distributed across different levels of the educational system:
More than $17 billion has been invested in public schools (preschool, elementary, and secondary).
Around $12 billion have been directed to state colleges and universities.
About $9.2 million have been allocated to the Bright Futures scholarship program, which has supported more than one million students since 1997.
Bright Futures has become a central tool for access to higher education in Florida.
Partial or full tuition coverage is provided based on the student's academic performance, and recently, the Medallion component offers full coverage for those who choose to study at state colleges.
This is how you can play
Florida Lottery tickets can be purchased at thousands of authorized retail locations, including supermarkets, gas stations, and convenience stores. To find the nearest one, simply visit the official Lottery website.
Among the most popular games, in addition to Fantasy 5, are:
-Powerball: Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays at 10:59 PM.
-Mega Millions: Tuesday and Friday at 11:00 PM.
-Florida Lotto: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 11:15 PM.
-Cash4Life: every day at 9:00 PM.
-Cash Pop and Pick 2, 3, 4, and 5: daily drawings at different times.
The Fantasy 5, where the winning tickets from Publix were drawn, takes place every day at 1:05 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. To participate, players choose five numbers from 1 to 36, or they can opt for a quick pick, as was the case with two of the winning tickets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Fantasy 5 and the Lottery in Florida
What is Fantasy 5 and how do you play it?
Fantasy 5 is a game of the Florida Lottery where players must select five numbers from 1 to 36. If they match all the numbers, they win the jackpot. In addition to this prize, smaller rewards are given for matching two, three, or four numbers, as well as free Quick Pick tickets. Draws take place twice a day.
How do you claim Fantasy 5 prizes in Florida?
Prizes from Fantasy 5 exceeding $600 must be claimed in person at a district office of the Florida Lottery. Winners have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prize. The offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and while an appointment is not necessary, it is recommended to streamline the process. It is also possible to claim smaller prizes by mail.
What impact does the Florida Lottery have on state education?
The Florida Lottery has transferred over $49 billion to the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF) since its inception in 1988. This fund is used to finance the state education system at various levels, including public schools, colleges, state universities, and scholarship programs like Bright Futures. For every dollar generated from ticket sales, approximately 25 cents goes directly to this fund.
Which stores in Miami are the luckiest for buying lottery tickets?
The Publix in Flagler Park Plaza is the Miami store that has awarded the most prizes. According to a report from Casino.org, it has distributed $451 million in prizes over the past 20 years. It is followed by Mercado Miami and the Publix at the Quail Roast Stores. These locations are known for their high number of winning tickets.
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