A Boston woman says her first big purchase will be a new car after she landed a $1 million top prize on a scratch ticket at a South Shore grocery store. Lisha Ellerbee hit the jackpot on the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “$4,000,000 Bonus Money” $10 instant ticket, then opted for the cash option and received a one-time payment of $650,000 before taxes. She bought the winning ticket at the Stop & Shop on Grove Street in Braintree, and the retailer that sold it will collect a $10,000 bonus from the Lottery.
According to Boston 25 News, the Massachusetts State Lottery confirmed Ellerbee’s prize and payout in an announcement and said she plans to put some of the money toward that new vehicle.
How the payout works
Instant-ticket winners can choose an annuity or a lump-sum cash payout, and many go straight for the cash so they can tap their winnings right away. The Boston Globe explains that the lump-sum option for a $1 million scratch prize usually works out to roughly $650,000 before taxes because the advertised jackpot reflects an annuity schedule spread over years. Winners must verify their tickets at State Lottery headquarters before any payout is released, a step that ensures prizes are validated and taxes are processed.
South Shore retailer benefit
Under Massachusetts Lottery rules, retailers that sell top-prize tickets collect bonuses, so the Braintree Stop & Shop will receive $10,000 for vending the lucky ticket. Stop & Shop’s listing for its 316 Grove Street location shows the store’s hours and contact details, and Boston 25 News reported the retailer bonus once the win was validated. For a short time, the store often becomes a neighborhood talking point when a big prize is sold there.
Scratch-off streak around the state
Massachusetts has seen a steady parade of seven-figure scratch-ticket claims this year as the Lottery rolls out new high-value instant games. A recent story about how a Palmer homeowner strikes $1 million scratch-off gold underscores how these games are producing multiple big paydays in quick succession, and many winners choose the cash option for immediate access to funds.
