Raymond Steadman, of Lake Peekskill, had the perfect excuse to take a day off from work Thurday, after winning $1 million in the Merry Money game.

Steadman, who works at the Morton's Steakhouse restaurant in White Plains, said he plans to keep his job and will take the money in $50,000 payments over 20 years.

Steadman says he spends about $20 a week on lotto tickets. He bought the winning ticket Nov. 28th at Lakeside Market in Lake Peekskill.

Steadman, who also works as a mortgage broker, has had near misses with good fortune in the past. Last year while waiting in line at a gas station to buy a lotto ticket, a man in front of him bought a $1 million ticket. In 2002, his friend won $2 million in a scratch-off.