A Brooklyn woman is suddenly a millionaire after claiming a $3 million New York Lottery scratch-off ticket she bought at a Hanson Place newsstand, according to local reporting on Wednesday, July 15, 2026. The winner, identified in that coverage as Christiane Butcher, chose to take a one-time lump-sum payment of about $1.24 million after required withholdings. The winning ticket came from the $10 100Xtra instant game, one of the Lottery’s higher-priced scratch-offs.
The lucky ticket was sold at Hanson Newsstand, 37 Hanson Place in Brooklyn, according to New York Upstate, which first reported the claim. That report notes that Butcher walked away with a lump-sum payout of $1,242,851 after taxes and other withholdings. The outlet did not report any immediate plans she might have for the windfall.
Game details and prizes remaining
The $10 100Xtra scratch-off offers a top prize of $3,000,000, and the New York Lottery’s game listings currently show three of those $3 million top prizes still unclaimed. As outlined on the Lottery’s scratch-off pages, the XTRA family of games uses multipliers that can boost winnings by significant amounts, a feature the state has been spotlighting this year. Players can track current prize status and remaining top prizes on the Lottery’s official game report.
What the winnings mean for school aid
Scratch-off tickets remain a major revenue engine for state education: instant games generated $4,339,794,048 in total sales during fiscal year 2024–2025, and school districts across New York City received $1,427,185,199 in Lottery Aid to Education funds in that same period, according to the New York State Gaming Commission 2024 annual report. The commission’s report describes instant games as a reliable contributor to K–12 budgets statewide.
How winners claim large prizes
Prizes of this size must be claimed at a New York Lottery Customer Service Center or by mail, and any prize of $601 or more requires a completed claim form, according to the New York Lottery. Once a claim is approved the Lottery typically issues lump-sum payments via electronic funds transfer after applying all required withholdings.
With this latest win, Hanson Newsstand joins the long roster of city retailers that occasionally sell a life-changing ticket, a reminder to neighbors that a quick stop for a scratch-off can suddenly turn into a big local story. This article will be updated if the winner or the retailer shares additional comment.
