Becomes 1st New York Lottery Millionaire Ever From Guilderland!

Schenectady – Louis Sgambellone is singing a new tune today! The recording studio manager accepted his big check from New York Lottery Director Nancy A. Palumbo for winning the $5,000 a week for life top prize on the Set For Life scratch-off game, a prize which is guaranteed to pay a minimum of $5 million.

“As with the New York Lottery’s other ‘For Life’ games, including Win For Life and the newly introduced Win For Life Spectacular, the top prize on the Set For Life game can extend well beyond the guaranteed minimum payout amount of $5 million – as long as the lucky winner keeps living, the New York Lottery keeps paying,” said Lottery Director Palumbo.

Sgambellone, who suffered a few setbacks earlier in life when he was struck by a delivery vehicle at the age of 12, is no stranger to winning big these days. In the past three years, the thirty-seven year old has also won $10,000 on the New York Lottery’s Cashword Instant game and $2,500 on the Win For Life game.

Sgambellone said that his $5 million windfall will enable him to invest some of his winnings. He also plans to buy a house, take a trip to California to visit friends and family and spoil his cat, Buddy.

Set For Life is a $10 Instant game ticket that offers players 15 chances to win up to $5,000 a week for life. Sgambellone purchased his winning ticket at Stewart’s Shops, 1827 Western Avenue in Guilderland, where he regularly shops. He will receive his prize in quarterly payments of $65,000 each year less required tax withholdings for the rest of his life. He or his estate is guaranteed to receive at least $5,000,000.

Since its inception in 1967, the New York Lottery has generated more than $27 billion in aid to education statewide, including a record $2 billion in fiscal year 2004-2005 on revenues of $6.27 billion.  For more information, contact the New York Lottery Press & Community Relations office at 518-388-3415 or email here.