A Florida woman’s dream come true: winning the Monopoly lottery.

It often starts with something small. For one Florida woman, it was a shiny dime spotted under a motorcycle. For another, a routine stop at a Circle K. Both ended with a life-changing Monopoly lottery win. This isn’t a single story — it’s a Florida phenomenon.

You’ve seen the headlines, but they never tell the full story. How much do winners really take home after taxes? Can they stay anonymous? What makes the Monopoly scratch-off so irresistible? The quick news flashes skip all of that.

This article goes beyond the headlines. We’ll share the incredible true stories, break down the real numbers behind the wins, and give you a practical guide on what happens after you shout “I won!”

Florida Woman Wins Monopoly Lottery: The Women Behind the Wins

Across Florida, ordinary moments at convenience stores have turned into extraordinary wins.

Behind every winning ticket is a story. These aren’t just statistics; they are moments that changed lives in an instant. The phenomenon of a Florida woman winning the Monopoly lottery is best understood through the people who actually lived it.

The Lucky Dime That Changed Everything

For Sarah Mallory, a 57-year-old from Ocklawaha, a bit of good fortune appeared before she even bought a ticket. While stopping for gas with her husband, she spotted a shiny dime — heads up — sitting under their Harley. As avid dime collectors, they took it as a sign. That gentle nudge from the universe prompted her to buy a $5 MONOPOLY SECRET VAULT scratch-off. The result? A stunning $1 million prize. She chose a lump-sum payment of $576,900.

The story is almost impossibly charming. A found coin. A spontaneous purchase. A million-dollar outcome. It’s the kind of tale that makes you look twice at every piece of change on the sidewalk.

From a Circle K Run to a $5 Million Prize

Judith Van Hauer of Ellenton proves that a much larger win could be waiting at a local convenience store. A simple decision to purchase a $20 MONOPOLY SECRET VAULT ticket at a Circle K turned into a jaw-dropping $5 million jackpot. She took home a lump-sum payment of $2,884,920 before any additional tax filings. Her story electrifies the imagination, showing the incredible potential packed into these games.

A Statewide Pattern of Luck

These wins are not isolated incidents. Across Florida, women are scratching their way to incredible prizes. Soignese Youte from Miramar pocketed $1 million from a $20 MONOPOLY DOUBLER ticket. Jessica Searnock from St. Augustine claimed $1 million from a $5 MONOPOLY SECRET VAULT ticket. Their stories, and many others like them, paint a vivid picture of luck striking in ordinary places — turning a regular Tuesday into an unforgettable one.

A Tale of the Tickets: Comparing the Monopoly Wins

The stories are inspiring, but the numbers tell a fascinating tale of their own. How do these wins actually break down? We’ve compiled the data from several recent Florida women who won the Monopoly lottery to give you a clearer picture. This is the kind of detail you won’t find in a quick news brief.

Lump sum payouts are the pre-tax amounts officially reported by the Florida Lottery. The final take-home amount will be lower after federal income tax withholdings. Florida has no state income tax on lottery winnings.

Notice the variation in lump-sum payouts even for the same $1 million prize. Different game editions carry different payout structures. The $20 MONOPOLY DOUBLER, for instance, offered a notably higher lump-sum ratio than the $5 SECRET VAULT tickets. Always check the specific game’s rules before playing.

The Monopoly Allure: Why We Love the Game

What makes the Monopoly-themed scratch-offs so captivating? It isn’t just the prize money. The game taps into a powerful combination of nostalgia, psychology, and smart design that keeps players coming back for more.

Nostalgia and the Dream of Wealth

For many, the Monopoly brand is a throwback to childhood. It evokes memories of family game nights and the fantasy of buying up properties and building an empire. This emotional connection makes the lottery ticket feel like more than just a piece of paper — it’s a piece of a cherished cultural icon. The brand recognition alone drives curiosity and purchase intent in a way a generic scratch-off simply cannot.

The Power of Instant Gratification

Unlike draw games like Powerball, where you wait days for a drawing, scratch-off tickets deliver an immediate thrill. That moment of anticipation as you scratch away the surface is a powerful psychological draw. The possibility of an instant, life-altering discovery — right here, right now — is an experience that’s hard to replicate.

A Game for Every Budget

The Florida Lottery has masterfully created a Monopoly game for every budget. With tickets available at price points from $1 all the way up to $20, the dream of a big win is accessible to nearly everyone. This tiered system allows casual players to join the fun while offering higher stakes — and higher top prizes — for those chasing the biggest jackpots.

You Won! What Happens Next in Florida?

The lump sum vs. annuity decision is one of the most important choices a lottery winner will ever make.

Winning is the dream, but what follows is a series of crucial decisions. For any Florida woman who wins the Monopoly lottery, the moments after the initial shock are filled with important questions about privacy and money management. Here’s a practical guide to what happens next.

The Anonymity Question

One of the first thoughts for any major lottery winner is: can I remain anonymous? In Florida, the answer is nuanced. Due to the state’s public records laws, winners cannot remain permanently anonymous. However, a crucial protection exists: winners of prizes worth $250,000 or more are granted a 90-day exemption from public disclosure, starting from the day the prize is claimed. This grace period gives winners invaluable time to plan and prepare for the attention that follows.

Many winners and their attorneys use this window to set up a legal trust. By claiming the prize through a trust, the trust’s name — rather than the individual’s — becomes part of the public record. It’s not perfect anonymity, but it provides a meaningful layer of privacy protection.

Lump Sum vs. Annuity: The Million-Dollar Decision

The biggest financial choice a winner must make is whether to take a one-time, reduced lump sum or receive the full prize amount in annual payments over several decades (an annuity). The vast majority of winners, including all the women featured here, choose the lump sum. This option provides immediate control over the money, allowing for large investments, debt payoff, and major purchases.

However, it comes with a significant immediate tax bill. The IRS automatically withholds 24% for federal taxes on large prizes, but winners often owe more at tax time, as the winnings can push them into the top federal tax bracket of 37%. Florida has no state income tax, which is a meaningful advantage for winners in the Sunshine State. Consulting a tax professional and a financial advisor immediately after winning is not just advisable — it’s essential.

The Bigger Picture: Fueling Florida’s Future

While individual wins are life-changing, the collective impact of games like the Monopoly scratch-offs is monumental. Every ticket purchased contributes to a much larger cause: education in the Sunshine State. It adds a layer of social good to the thrill of the game.

The numbers are staggering. Since its inception, the Florida Lottery has contributed over $49 billion to the state’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. This money supports public schools, the Bright Futures Scholarship Program, and other educational initiatives across Florida. Over one million students have been sent to college through these contributions.

Scratch-off games are the primary engine driving these contributions, accounting for approximately 74% of the lottery’s total annual sales of $9.63 billion in 2025. So, while players dream of a jackpot, they are also actively helping to build a brighter future for students across the state.

Conclusion: More Than Just a Game

The story of a Florida woman winning the Monopoly lottery is about more than just luck and money. It’s a narrative woven from hope, intuition, and the tantalizing possibility that life can change in an instant. From Sarah Mallory’s lucky dime to Judith Van Hauer’s multi-million-dollar prize, these wins remind us that extraordinary moments can hide in the most ordinary of days.

Unlike the fleeting headlines, we’ve seen the real numbers, understood the critical choices winners face, and appreciated the massive contribution these games make to Florida’s education system. The Monopoly lottery isn’t just a game of chance; it’s a cultural phenomenon, a driver of dreams, and a powerful engine for good.

So, the next time you see a Monopoly scratch-off at the checkout counter, remember the stories behind the ticket. It’s a small investment in a dream — and sometimes, that dream really does come true.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Who are some of the Florida women who won the Monopoly lottery?

Several women have recently won large prizes from Florida’s Monopoly-themed scratch-off games. Notable winners include Sarah Mallory from Ocklawaha ($1 million, MONOPOLY SECRET VAULT), Judith Van Hauer from Ellenton ($5 million, MONOPOLY SECRET VAULT), Soignese Youte from Miramar ($1 million, MONOPOLY DOUBLER), Jessica Searnock from St. Augustine ($1 million, MONOPOLY SECRET VAULT), and Rebecca Adams from Destin ($1 million, MONOPOLY JACKPOT).

2. Can a Florida lottery winner remain anonymous?

Not permanently. Florida’s public records laws require winners’ names to be disclosed. However, winners of prizes of $250,000 or more receive a 90-day exemption from public disclosure after claiming their prize. Many winners use this window to set up a legal trust, which allows the trust’s name to appear in public records instead of their personal name, providing a degree of privacy protection.

3. How much do you actually take home if you win $1 million in Florida?

The lump-sum payment is a reduced, pre-tax amount. For a $1 million prize, the lump sum can range from approximately $576,900 to $798,985, depending on the specific game’s payout structure. This amount is then subject to federal income tax (Florida has no state income tax). After federal taxes, the actual take-home amount will be lower. Consulting a tax professional is strongly recommended.

4. What are the odds of winning a Monopoly scratch-off game in Florida?

The odds vary by game and ticket price. For example, the $5 MONOPOLY SECRET VAULT game (Game #1569) has overall odds of winning any prize at approximately 1-in-3.98. The odds of winning the top prize of $5 million are significantly longer. Always check the specific game’s official odds on the Florida Lottery website before playing.

5. Where does the money from Florida Lottery scratch-off tickets go?

A significant portion of all ticket sales revenue goes to Florida’s Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. The Florida Lottery has contributed over $49 billion to education since its founding, funding public schools, state colleges, universities, and the Bright Futures Scholarship Program. Scratch-off games account for roughly 74% of the lottery’s total sales, making them the primary driver of these educational contributions.

Last modified: February 25, 2026