(Great River Dentist Wins $3,000,000 Lottery Prize)

Schenectady, NY - Fifty-four-year-old Zuhair Nwaiser of Great River, Suffolk County knows what to do when one of his dental patients goes into shock. But, it was the dentist himself who needed help when he finished scratching his Ba Da Bling instant ticket and realized he had a $3,000,000 winner.

“I just stood there staring at the ticket, questioning what I saw because I didn’t have my glasses on,” said Dr. Z, a dentist at the Total Dental Care affiliate in Farmingville. “I gave (the ticket) to the clerk to double-check. He offered me a glass of water and some aspirin, and told me to call the Lottery in the morning to claim my prize.”

Nwaiser purchased his $3,000,000 winner on March 18, 2008 at the BP station on Sunrise Highway in East Islip. He said he went there to buy a Mega Millions ticket and left with something extra.

“I don’t usually buy the instant tickets, just Mega Millions - and only when the jackpot gets high” he said. “But, I noticed this was the sixth ticket on the roll and six has always been a lucky number for me so I bought it just because.”

The father of three said he waited until April 1, 2008 to claim his prize because he wanted to get his finances in order before “going public.” Nwaiser said he loves his job and plans to continue “creating smiles for other people.”

His immediate spending plans include taking a family vacation to the Bahamas and making some much needed home repairs. He said he and his wife Yvette, 43, are looking at this sudden windfall as more of a long-term investment.

“Even when you work you need some type of security,” he said. “This will certainly help with college bills and saving for my own retirement. It came at a good time.”

Nwaiser will receive 20 annual payments of $150,000 each, less required tax withholdings. His net check will total $102,225.

The New York Lottery contributed nearly $2.6 billion to help support education in New York State on incoming revenues of $7.549 billion in fiscal year 2007-08 - - a profit margin of 34.3%. The New York Lottery continues to be North America’s largest and most profitable Lottery, earning over $34.2 billion in education support statewide since its founding over 40 years ago.