A quiet stop for coffee and gas in Turners Falls just turned into the site of one of the biggest lottery paydays in Massachusetts history, after Open Door Trust of Boston claimed the first $25 million grand prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s $25,000,000 “Mega Money” scratch-off.
The winning ticket was bought at the Cumberland Farms in Turners Falls, and the trust chose the cash option, taking the stated cash value of the top prize. That one decision translates into a hefty payout for the winner and a tidy $50,000 bonus for the retailer.
According to Boston 25 News, the claim was made Thursday by Open Door Trust of Boston, represented by trustee Renat Lumpau. The Lottery reported that the trust elected to receive a one-time payment of $16,250,000 rather than take the prize as an annuity.
How the Mega Money Ticket Works
The $50 “Mega Money” instant game launched last May and comes with high stakes and high rewards. It offers three top prizes of $25 million, several $2 million and $1 million prizes, and overall odds that work out to roughly one prize in every 4.1 plays, Lottery Post reported.
The game also features second-chance drawings, giving losing tickets a little afterlife for hopeful players. As with many big-money scratch-offs, the headline-grabbing $25 million payouts are structured as annuities, with the option to take a smaller lump sum up front instead, which is exactly what Open Door Trust did.
Where the Winning Ticket Was Sold
The lucky ticket was sold at the Cumberland Farms at 10 Montague City Road in Turners Falls. For selling the jackpot winner, the store will receive a $50,000 bonus from the Lottery, per Boston 25 News.
For a small town like Turners Falls, that kind of headline can bring a surge of curious customers and a short-term bump in foot traffic, as locals and visitors alike swing by the convenience store that suddenly became “the lucky one.”
What’s Still Up for Grabs
The “Mega Money” game is not done minting millionaires. With two $25 million grand prizes still unclaimed and several million-dollar secondary prizes remaining, it remains a major draw for players willing to put $50 on the line for a single shot at a life-changing payoff, Lottery Post noted.
The combination of large annuity-style top prizes and lump-sum cash options helps explain why major winners are often trusts rather than individuals appearing under their own names. The Turners Falls sale adds to a growing list of headline-making scratch-off wins in Massachusetts and gives this particular Cumberland Farms a brief moment in the statewide spotlight.
State Lottery officials handle prize claims and retailer bonuses, and players and retailers can check official Lottery channels for current details on remaining prizes.
