November 10, 2009-Martin Mata of Deer Park, Suffolk County, won $30,000 playing the New York Lottery’s Monopoly Instant game. 

Mata has three children.  “I stopped at my Lottery retailer to buy some milk and while there I decided to buy a Monopoly Lottery ticket.  I scratched the ticket in the store and could not believe my eyes when I saw that I won $30,000,” said Mata.  He plans to invest his prize.

Mata purchased his winning ticket at the Belmont Convenience, 750 Belmont Avenue in North Babylon.  Monopoly is a $2 Instant game that offers players 10 chances to win up to $30,000.  The overall odds, of winning any prize are 1:4.95.

The New York Lottery continues to be North America's largest and most profitable Lottery, earning more than $36.7 billion in education support statewide since its founding over 40 years ago. The Lottery contributed nearly $2.54 billion in fiscal year 2008-09 to help support education in New York State, which was over 12 percent of total state education funding to local school districts. The Lottery's ongoing commitment to education also includes the awarding of more than 1,100 Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) Scholarships annually to high school students pursuing their higher education in New York State. Since 1999, the Lottery has awarded more than 11,500 scholarships representing a total commitment of almost $50 million.