Two Queens men are a lot richer thanks to a pair of winning New York Lottery tickets worth millions.
Luigi Macchione, 49, of Ridgewood, and Andres Chung, 35, of Flushing, were the two latest Queens residents to win big in the New York Lottery. They were presented with their winnings at Resorts World Casino New York City in Ozone Park on July 25.
Macchione has been playing the lottery twice a week for 20 years. On May 30, Macchione was at JR Auto Services on St. Nicholas Place in Manhattan when he purchased a $1 Quick Pick ticket for that night’s drawing.
“I’ve been playing Lotto for 20 years,” said Macchione. “I like Lotto because you get two sets of numbers for a dollar. It’s a better deal and better odds than Mega Millions and Powerball.”
While the drawing took place on May 30, Macchione didn’t check his ticket for a few days after. Little did he know, his ticket ended up being the winner of a $9,500,000 jackpot, matching all six numbers from the May 30 drawing.
“I scanned the ticket on June 2 and the machine kept beeping saying I had a big winner!” said Macchione. “I couldn’t believe how much noise it was making!”
The winning numbers that night were 1-25-36-40-56-57. Macchione opted to receiving his winnings in a one-time lump sum payment and will receive a net check totaling $3,872,793 after required withholdings.
“I still can’t believe it,” said Macchione. “I plan to invest the winnings with the hopes of retiring a few years earlier than I originally planned.”
Meanwhile, in Flushing, Chung made a stop for breakfast at Flushing Mini Food Market on 35th Avenue when he bought his winning $10,000,000 Cash scratch-off ticket.
“I was on my way to work and stopped at my usual place for breakfast,” said Chung. “I had won $40 on this ticket in the past so I decided to give it another try.”
Chung was walking to his car when he scratched off the ticket, and once he saw that he won the $10,000,000 grand prize, he was completely shocked.
“I scratched it and then ran to the car. I must have sat there just staring at it for 30 or 40 minutes.” said Chung.
Chung received his winnings in one lump sum of $6,330,400 after required withholdings. As for what he’s going to do with his winnings, the decision was easy.
“I’m going to stop paying rent and buy a nice house,” said Chung.
