Alan Adelson: Hobe Sound man wins $5 million in FL 25th Anniversary Millionaire game

HOBE SOUND, Fla. - Fred Pratt of Stuart said he plays the Florida Lottery every now and then, and he usually purchases his game pieces at the Publix on SE Federal Highway.

“I’ve been coming here for many, many, many years, since they opened, and I haven't done that well,” Pratt admits.

He’s certainly never done as well as the big winner that claimed the jackpot Tuesday.

Alan Adelson of Hobe Sound purchased a 25th anniversary edition Florida lottery ticket at that Publix, and he’s the first $5 million dollar winner in the MILLIONAIRE Scratch-Off game.

David Best said he buys his mother Florida lottery scratch-offs every week. He says it’s part of their family ritual, for him to hide the tickets under her pillow at her nursing home.

“Sometimes, win five, ten dollars,” said Best.  “When she wins, she’s happy, you know, because she likes those lottery tickets. ”

The Florida Lottery office said Adelson chose to receive the one-time payout, so he received about $4.1 million. They said it is not Adelson’s first time to win. He won three thousand-dollar scratch-off prizes earlier this year.

Pratt says it’s a great week to win, with the holidays right around the corner, and he has high hopes for himself for the future.

“I certainly wish these people and their families the best of luck,” he said. "I hope next time it's me, and we'll have a real, real big party."