By Dominick Tao, Times Staff Writer
Monday, October 25, 2010
A Palm Harbor man won $1 million over the weekend in the Florida Lottery.
Vasilios Vassos, 38, won the prize in the lotto's Powerball game, matching 5 out of 5 numbers, but missing the Powerball number.
Ordinarily, Vassos' take would have been $200,000 — but since he spent an extra $1 on the ticket's "Power Play" modifier, his winnings were increased fivefold.
According to a statement from the Florida Lottery, Vassos' win wasn't enough — he said he plans to continue playing for "the big jackpot," up to $72 million this week. Vassos said in a statement he also plans to start a charity.
The winning ticket, with numbers 2-7-16-20-46 and Powerball 34, was sold at Palm Harbor Shell, 32400 U.S. Highway 19 South.
A call to Vassos' home Monday evening was not immediately returned.