Pile of money
Pile of money.

Lake Wales woman claims $5 million top prize in scratch-off

by
March 28, 2025
·

TALLAHASSEE, FL — A Polk County woman has become Florida’s newest multimillionaire after winning the $5 million top prize in the Florida Lottery’s GOLD RUSH LIMITED Scratch-Off game, officials announced Friday.

Helen Mathews, 59, of Lake Wales, claimed the prize at Lottery Headquarters in Tallahassee and chose a one-time lump-sum payment of $3.96 million. She purchased the winning ticket from Murphy USA, located at 2048 Sam Walton Way in Lake Wales. The retailer will receive a $10,000 bonus commission for selling the ticket.

GOLD RUSH LIMITED is a $20 Scratch-Off game that launched in 2021 and offers 32 top prizes of $5 million and 100 prizes of $1 million. The game also includes more than 33,000 prizes ranging from $1,000 to $100,000. The overall odds of winning are 1 in 2.65.

Scratch-Off tickets make up the majority of sales for the Florida Lottery, accounting for approximately 74 percent of all tickets sold in fiscal year 2023-2024. Since launching its first games, the Lottery has awarded more than $98.6 billion in prizes and created more than 4,200 millionaires.

Lottery proceeds support education statewide through the Educational Enhancement Trust Fund. Since 1988, the Florida Lottery has contributed more than $48 billion to public education, including funding for the Bright Futures Scholarship Program.

Key Points

  • Helen Mathews of Lake Wales won $5 million playing GOLD RUSH LIMITED
  • She accepted a one-time payment of $3.96 million
  • The retailer received a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket
Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley

Chris Quigley is a Staff Writer and Community News Correspondent for Shore News Network, where she covers local government, public safety, community affairs, politics, and issues impacting residents throughout New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on delivering timely, accurate, and relevant news that helps readers stay informed about the communities in which they live and work.

As a member of the Shore News Network editorial team, Quigley works closely with public officials, community leaders, first responders, and local organizations to provide factual coverage of breaking news, municipal government, public policy, and events affecting New Jersey residents. Her work highlights both major developments and the local stories that shape communities across the state.

Quigley is committed to responsible journalism, emphasizing accuracy, source verification, and transparency in every story she reports. She strives to present information in a clear and accessible manner, helping readers better understand the issues, decisions, and events that impact their daily lives.

Through her work at Shore News Network, Chris Quigley contributes to the organization's mission of providing trusted local news coverage, accountability reporting, and community-focused journalism throughout New Jersey.

Chris Quigley is a graduate of Stockton State University and began her career at IN Jersey, the online news and media branch of the Asbury Park Press. She also worked at Monmouth Internet, the Ocean Signal Newspaper, and JTOWN Magazine during her career in both content management and operations.

Degrees: Business B.A. - Stockton University

Experience and interests: Criminal Justice, Business, Animal Care, Entertainment, Lottery News, Local News