New York Lottery winners just claimed 5 huge prizes in January, here’s what they won

New York Lottery just announced five huge prize winners claimed in January 2026. From million-dollar raffles to scratch-off jackpots, lucky players across Upstate New York and Long Island are celebrating life-changing victories. Here are the winners and what they claimed.

Altamont Family Splits $1 Million Three Ways in Erie Canal Raffle

Daniel Jackson of Altamont purchased a winning ticket in the New York Lottery’s Million Dollar Raffle, which honored the Erie Canal bicentennial. The Jackson family made the smart choice to split the $1 million prize equally among three family members.

Each of the three recipients received a lump sum payment of $217,002 after required tax withholdings. Daniel shared the windfall with his son James and wife Lisa. The winning ticket was purchased at Stewart’s Shops located at 1100 High Bridge Rd. in Schenectady, which earned a $5,000 bonus for selling the prize ticket.

Long Island Man Claims $1 Million Millionaire Maker Prize

Jose Molina of East Meadow scored a life-changing win on the New York Lottery’s Millionaire Maker scratch-off game. The $1 million top prize winner opted for a lump-sum payment rather than extended payouts.

After required withholdings, Molina walked away with $651,000 in his bank account. The winning ticket was purchased at DGNJ 144 Gas Station located at 144 Hempstead Turnpike in West Hempstead. As of the announcement date, four more $1 million top prizes remain available in the Millionaire Maker game.

Five Major New York Lottery Winners Highlighted

The New York Lottery recognized multiple major prize winners throughout January 2026. Winners across different games and locations statewide claimed their victories with varied strategies for receiving payments.

Winner Name	Prize Amount	Game Type	Location
Jackson Family	$1,000,000	Erie Canal Raffle	Schenectady
Jose Molina	$1,000,000	Millionaire Maker	East Meadow
Patricia Harmon	$1,000,000	Erie Canal Raffle	Bronx
Jami Devins	$5,000,000	Set For Life	Saranac
Unannounced Winner	$2,200,000	Scratch-off	Various

Patricia Harmon of the Bronx also claimed a $1 million prize from the Erie Canal Raffle. After withholdings, she received $612,247 as a lump-sum settlement. She purchased her ticket at Kings Gift Shop in the Bronx.

“Very happy for them,” said Sharon Scarafone, the gas station attendant who sold Jami Devins her winning $5 million Set For Life ticket.

— Sharon Scarafone, Parkway Express Valero Gas Station Employee

Saranac Woman Wins $5 Million Set For Life Jackpot

Jami Devins of Saranac claimed the $5 million top prize from the New York Lottery’s Set For Life scratch-off game. This represented one of the rarest prizes available in the NY Lottery system, with odds of just 1 in 8,019,625.

Devins opted for the one-time lump-sum payment instead of the annuity option. After required tax withholdings, she received $2,294,124. The winning ticket was purchased at Parkway Express Valero Gas Station located at 3385 U.S. Route 11 in Malone. The gas station attendant earned a bonus for selling the prize-winning ticket.

How New York Lottery Winners Should Plan Their Big Jackpots

Lottery winners have two main choices when claiming prizes over $1 million. The lump-sum option delivers immediate cash but results in lower total amounts due to withholdings. The annuity option spreads payments over many years, potentially doubling or tripling the actual payout.

Winners should consult financial advisors and tax professionals before making this critical decision. Responsible planning helps ensure long-term financial security rather than depleting jackpot winnings quickly. Every New York Lottery winner has access to certified financial counseling to guide smart money moves.

Sources

• New York Upstate – Reported on the Jackson family’s $1 million Erie Canal Raffle win in Altamont
• SILive.com – Covered Jose Molina’s $1 million Millionaire Maker scratch-off prize claim
• Adirondack Daily Enterprise – Documented Jami Devins’ $5 million Set For Life jackpot in Saranac