Another lucky local. Sarasota County man scores top prize on scratch-off

A 70-year-old Sarasota County man is the latest local resident to win big on a Florida Lottery scratch-off game.

Hector Ortiz of North Port purchased the very first top-prize ticket of a brand new game of chance, the “20X Crossword Scratch-Off,” according to the Florida Lottery. It brought him $500,000.

The game costs $5 per play, and odds of winning are 1 in 3.99. Thirteen top prizes now remain.

Ortiz bought his lucky scratch-off at a Publix supermarket located at 1291 S. Sumter Blvd. in North Port, according to the Florida Lottery.

Scratch-offs and other Florida Lottery games continue to fund the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund and the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

Other recent local lotto winners include a Sarasota man, a Bradenton woman and another North Port man that all won $1 million top scratch-off prizes.