“Unlucky” Syracuse Lottery Player Receives $17 Million In New York Lotto
Thursday October 23rd 2025Three months after a whopping $17 million lottery win in July, 73-year old Larry Hartig has received his prize. According to sources, Hartig had previously given up on the lottery due to considering himself “unlucky”. What does this tell you?
The Results
Hartig, a central resident of the Empire State who lives in Syracuse, played the New York Lotto on Wednesday July 23. The winning numbers of this draw were 6, 8, 22, 29, 37, 50, and the Bonus Ball was 11. Hartig used Quick Pick and matched every single one of them.
The ticket was sold at Polge Wine and Liquors, 434 West Seneca Turnpike. Tim Polge, who owns and runs the store, had previously told local media outlets that he was receiving texts and calls asking who the winner was since the draw. Customers would also ask this same question as they approached the register. Polge could only tell them what he knew, which was little. Until now.
The Winner
Larry Hartig won the life-changing jackpot. While he was initially frustrated by the wait to receive his money — it was longer than expected, and Hartig had contacted NewsChannel 9’s Your Stories in August for information — he now has it. Thank God for that, since Hartig bought a car and some other items and was worried for a while that the bill would come before his cash prize. He also opted for the single lump sum instead of the annuity, which is also a saving grace as the annuity might not have been enough to cover it!
Hartig was awarded a single payment of $5,770,232 after required withholdings. The money generated by New York Lotto totals $53,574,614 in sales throughout 2024-2025, and it doesn’t all go to the winner — there are also taxes and good causes. A lot of the money raised by New York Lotto has gone to School districts in Onondaga County in support of the education sector.
As far as how Hartig will spend it, he says that “some of it’s going to charity” but that “most of it’s going to family. A little is going to stay with me and help my girlfriend and I with our future, trips and other things.” His future agenda includes trips to Ireland, Scotland, Alaska, and other National Parks. He also intends to donate some of the proceeds to the Food Bank of Central New York and conservancies that support Yosemite and the Grand Canyon.
What’s Next for the New York Lotto?
While the odds of winning NY Lotto might dissuade many from taking part (1 in 45,057,474), remember that someone has to win it eventually, and in this case, it was Larry Hartig, a man who did not consider himself lucky in the slightest. Could this be you next?
Lotto draws take place on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 8:15 PM EDT, offering lottery fans two weekly chances to win. The jackpot starts off big and only gets bigger until it’s won, ensuring plenty of excitement.
You can play New York Lotto by heading to one of the 15,000 local authorized lottery retailers in the Empire State and entering your numbers through the vendor, or online with a courier. You can even use our New York Lottery App if you want to buy tickets for Lotto and check its results — or the same thing for any other of your favorite lotteries — on the move, or from the comfort of home.
Enjoy and please play responsibly.
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