TALLAHASSEE, FL - Dreams can come true even across state lines. Gary Thomas, a 49-year-old resident of Dothan, Alabama, claimed a life-changing lottery prize yesterday in the sunshine state.

Florida's Lottery headquarters in Tallahassee played host to the delighted winner, as Thomas cashed in his $5 ticket from the "$150,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE" Scratch-Off game.

He was presented with an oversized check that was as large as his newfound fortune.

Thomas, a jovial winner from Dothan across the border, was practically bursting with excitement as he received his winnings.

Alabama has no lottery, so he had to travel to play and collect his sizeable winning check In Florida.

Thomas received his winnings as a one-time, lump-sum cash payment of $2,440,000.

"It's still sinking in," he admitted, grinning from ear to ear. "I couldn't believe it! I still can't believe it!"

The story began when Thomas purchased his winning ticket from Lotto Discount Liquor, a retailer located at 5837 U.S. Highway 231 in Campbellton, Florida.

The town is just a stone's throw away from his Alabama home, and he will always remember Lotto Discount Liquor as the place where luck took a surprising turn for him.

Lotto Discount Liquor will receive a $4,000 bonus commission for selling the winning Scratch-Off ticket.

The game that started this life-changing win for Thomas is the "$150,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE" Scratch-Off, a $5 ticket that promises a lifetime of memories.

With over 9.5 million winning tickets and a staggering $132.6 million in cash prizes, including four top prizes of $150,000 a year for life, this game has captured the imaginations of countless lottery enthusiasts.

The odds of striking it rich with this game stand at 1-in-3.95, making it an attractive option for those dreaming of financial security.

Florida Lottery is no stranger to making headlines, as Scratch-Off games have emerged as a vital component of their portfolio, accounting for approximately 72 percent of ticket sales during the 2022-2023 fiscal year.

Beyond bringing joy to winners, these games serve a grander purpose by generating funds for the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund (EETF).

Since their beginnings, scratch-off games have contributed more than $18.09 billion to this educational cause, ensuring that dreams of a better future extend far beyond the confines of the lottery ticket.

While Gary Thomas's fortune may have blossomed on Floridian soil, his win reminds us that luck and opportunity know no borders.