$10 Million Mega Cash Prize won by Stoneham woman

Debra A. Roberto of Stoneham won a $10 million grand prize – the largest instant prize in America – in the Mega Cash game from the Massachusetts State Lottery.

Roberto, pictured here with Executive Director Mark Cavanagh, received her first of 20 annuity checks for $500,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Fast Freddy on Main Street in Wakefield. The store will receive a $50,000 commission on the sale.

Mega Cash, the newest $20 instant game, features 40 instant prizes of $1 million and four instant prizes of $10 million. One lucky player will win the incredible prize of $20 million.

New Bedford KENO player wins $160,000

Charles P. Comfort of New Bedford won one of the largest prizes in the history of KENO when he matched nine numbers playing the game at the Charlie Horse restaurant in West Bridgewater. Comfort also played the KENO Bonus multiplier, a move that quadrupled his prize from $40,000 to $160,000.

At first Comfort did not know that he had won. He played 10 games while at the Charlie Horse, but left before all of the drawings were held. He checked the results the next morning and found his lucky numbers – 18, 32, 36, 39, 49, 52, 66, 74 and 80 – had come up.

“I almost fell off my chair when I saw the numbers had come up,” he said.

Lottery customers can play KENO and KENO-to-Go at more than 5,000 agents across the state. In the game, 20 numbers are selected at random from a field of 80 and players win by matching their numbers. Last year, KENO players won more than half a billion dollars from the Lottery.

Easton Grandmother Anxiously Awaits Million Dollar Drive

An Easton grandmother may be the biggest winner at the New England Patriots game next Sunday at Gillette Stadium. June Chapman could win $1 million in the Million Dollar Drive, a second chance drawing in the New England Patriots instant ticket from the Massachusetts State Lottery.

“I was shocked when we were first notified that I had won the drawing and I am still stunned today,” said Chapman, a lifelong Patriots fan. “We’re anxiously waiting for the 22nd to come.”

Chapman, pictured here with her husband Russell, was selected from more than 330,000 internet entries in a Nov. 3 drawing. Chapman said her anticipation and excitement builds with each passing day as the contest nears.

“It’s been tough getting a full night’s sleep thinking about what’s about to happen,” said Chapman, who noted that she is guaranteed a big payday in the contest.

During halftime of the Patriots game against the New York Jets, Chapman will head onto the field to pick from 24 hidden prizes on six-foot by nine-foot instant tickets. Eight tickets will be worth $100,000; six tickets worth $200,000; four tickets worth $300,000; two tickets worth $400,000; two tickets worth $500,000 and two tickets worth $1 million.

Chapman almost missed her chance at the mammoth prize. Her granddaughter Jessica gave two Patriots instant tickets to Russell for his birthday in August. But when they didn’t initially win on the tickets, Chapman went to throw them away.

Luckily, Jessica told her grandparents about the second chance opportunities for Lottery players with two non-winning Patriots tickets. Lottery players with two non-winning tickets can win prizes ranging from Season Tickets to Life to authentic Patriots gear and unique memorabilia. The Lottery will also hold a drawing for a second Million Dollar Drive later in the run of the hugely popular instant game.

New England Patriots, a $5 instant game, was the first NFL-licensed product to be developed with a state Lottery. The game, which boasts 10 instant prizes of $1 million, features more than 6,700,000 winning tickets.

Baldwinville woman takes
home $1 million prize

Vivian M. Prentice of Baldwinville became the latest Lottery millionaire when she won the grand prize playing the $1,000,000 Spin game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Prentice receive her first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Cumberland Farms on Elm Street in Baldwinville. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

$1,000,000 Spin, a $5 instant game, features more than $114 million in cash prizes, including 10 grand prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 6 million winning tickets in the game.

Uxbridge player wins $1 million grand prize

Paul Grimala Jr. of Uxbridge won $1 million playing the Max A Million instant game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Grimala, pictured here with Executive Director Mark Cavanagh, received his first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

He bought the lucky ticket at Uxbridge Good Mart. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Max A Million, a $10 instant game, features eight instant prizes of $4 million and 25 instant prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are nearly 14 million winning tickets worth more than $400 million in the game.

Patriots grand prize winner plans Disney trip

Jeffrey D. La Rosa, a father of two, plans to take the entire family to Disney World after winning a $1 million grand prize in the New England Patriots instant game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. La Rosa, pictured here with Executive Director Mark Cavanagh, received his prize check today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

La Rosa bought the lucky ticket at Dutchland Drive Thru on North Main Street in West Bridgewater. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

New England Patriots, a $5 instant game features 10 instant prizes of $1 million, 4,250 VIP ticket packages, and unique Patriots merchandise. The marquee prizes in the game are five second-chance drawings for five pairs of Season Ticket for Life.

First two Harleys Davidson bikes awarded

Top picture is Adam Perrott.
Bottom picture is Arthur Chaprales

Two avid Harley-Davidson fans won the first two “Fat Boy” motorcycles in the exciting Harley-Davidson instant game from the Massachusetts State Lottery.

Adam Perrott of Worcester recently picked up his prize from Tibby’s Harley-Davidson in Springfield while Arthur Chaprales of West Harwich received his bike from Cape Cod Harley Davidson in Pocasset.

Harley-Davidson, a $5 instant game, features 10 grand prizes of $1 million and 30 “Fat Boy” motor cycles as well as authentic Harley-Davidson gear. Overall, there are more than 6.7 million winning tickets in the game.

Upton woman wins $2.6 million on Megabucks

After playing her favorite numbers for nearly 25 years, Janet Greene of Upton hit the $2.6 million jackpot on Megabucks Doubler last Wednesday.

Greene, pictured here with Executive Director Mark Cavanagh, opted for a lump sum payment on her prize. She received a check for nearly $1.9 million before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Cumberland Farms on Upton Street in Grafton. The store will receive a $25,000 commission on the sale.

Megabucks Doubler drawings are held every Wednesday and Saturday and aired on Channel 5 WCVB-TV at 11:20 p.m. Players select six numbers from a field of 49 and win a prize for matching a minimum of three numbers.

Marlboro fan wins first
grand prize in Bruins game

Timothy McCurley of Marlboro won the first grand prize of $25,000 on the brand new Boston Bruins instant game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. He received his check today at the Lottery’s regional headquarters in Worcester.

He bought the lucky ticket at Plaza Liquors in Marlboro. The store will receive a $250 bonus on the sale.

The Boston Bruins instant game features 25 instant prizes of $25,000 and more than 5 million winning tickets. One player will win a grand prize drawing for Boston Bruins Season Tickets for a decade.

Fall River player wins $1 million Bonanza

– Michael R. Dozois of Fall River won a $1 million grand prize playing the Billion Dollar Bonanza game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Dozois, pictured here with Executive Director Mark Cavanagh, received his first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

He bought the lucky ticket at the Cumberland Farms on North Main Street in Fall River. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Billion Dollar Bonanza is the biggest game ever created by an American Lottery. The $20 instant game features 150 grand prizes of $1 million and 10 grand prizes of $10 million, the largest prize ever awarded in an instant game.

Framingham teacher scores
$1 million grand prize

Lilian N. Arriaza of Framingham won a grand prize on the $100,000 A Year for Life game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Arriaza, who opted for a lump sum payment received a check for $650,000 today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Tedeschi’s on Moody Street in Waltham. The market will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

$100,000 A Year for Life, a $10 instant game, features 10 instant prizes of $100,000 A Year for Life (minimum $2 million) and 25 instant prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 11 million winning tickets in the game.

Wilbraham mother wins
$2.5 million grand prize

Elmas E. Merigian of Wilbraham won the grand prize of $2.5 million in the $800 Million Spectacular game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. She received her first of 20 annuity checks of $125,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Convenience Plus on Boston Road in Wilbraham. The store will receive a $25,000 commission on the sale.

The $800 Million Spectacular, a $10 instant game, features 80 grand prizes of $1 million and 20 grand prizes of $2.5 million. Overall, there are more than 27 million winning tickets in the game.

Palmer woman wins $1 million Bonanza prize

Congratulations to Marilyn Nascimento of Palmer on winning a $1 million prize playing the Lottery’s Billion Dollar Bonanza instant game. Nascimento traveled to Braintree headquarters today to collect the first of 20 annuity payments of $50,000 before taxes. She bought the lucky ticket at the Big Y Supermarket located on Thorndike Street in Palmer. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

$1 million Bonanza for Lawrence mom

Ruth S. McGuire of Lawrence became the latest lottery millionaire when she won a grand prize on the Billion Dollar Bonanza game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. She received her first of 20 annuity chekcs for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Howe Street Superette in Methuen. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Billion Dollar Bonanza is the biggest game ever created by an American Lottery. The $20 instant game features 150 grand prizes of $1 million and 10 grand prizes of $10 million, the largest prize ever awarded in an instant game.

Wilbraham player wins $100,000 A Year for Life

Joseph P. Duffany of Wilbraham won the grand prize on the $100,000 A Year for Life instant game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Duffany, who opted for a lump sum payment, received a check for $1.3 million before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

He bought the lucky ticket bought at Pride Station and Store on Parker Street in Springfield. The store will receive a $20,000 commission on the sale.

$100,000 A Year for Life, a $10 instant game, features 10 instant prizes of $100,000 A Year for Life and 25 instant prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 11 million winning tickets in the game.

Nurse wins $1 million in
Harley-Davidson game

Carrie J. Murphy of Lowell won the first of 10 grand prizes of $1 million on the new Harley-Davidson instant game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Murphy, who opted for a lump sum payment, received her check for $650,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Drum Hill Liquor Mart on Parkhurst Road in Chelmsford. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Harley-Davidson, a $5 instant game, features 10 instant prizes of $1 million and 30 instant prizes of Fat Boy motorcycles. Overall, there are more than 6 million winning tickets in the game.

Bonanza Prize for Milford Man

Edward H. Cameron Jr., is the fourth lucky player to win a $10,000,000 grand prize playing the Lottery’s Billion Dollar Bonanza instant game. Cameron, shown here with Executive Director Mark Cavanagh, took home the first of 20 annual payments of $500,000 before taxes. He bought the lucky ticket at Maria’s Italian Villa located at 67 Medway Street in Milford. The restaurant will receive a $50,000 commission on the sale.

With 150 $1,000,000 prizes and 10 $10,000,000 prizes, the $20 Billion Dollar Bonanza game offers the largest prizes ever awarded in North America. To date 4 $10,000,000 prizes and 43 $1,000,000 prizes have been claimed.

Blockbuster Grand Prize for Lowell Janitor

Americo F. Fernandes of Lowell will now be able to buy a house thanks to winning a $1 million grand prize from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Fernandes, pictured with his wife Maria, received his first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

He bought the lucky Billion Dollar Blockbuster ticket at Store 38 on Fairmount Street in Lowell. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

The Billion Dollar Blockbuster is the largest game ever created by a U.S. lottery. The game features 130 instant prizes of $1 million and ten prizes of $10 million. One lucky player will win $1 million a year for life.

Lowell woman wins $1 million grand prize

Roxana Quitel of Lowell won a $1 million grand prize in the $100,000 A Year for Life game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Quitel, who opted for a lump sum prize, received a check for $650,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Jays Food Mart on Gorham Street in Lowell. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

$100,000 A Year for Life, a $10 instant game, features 10 instant prizes of $100,000 A Year for Life (minimum $2 million) and 25 instant prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 11 million winning tickets in the game.

$1 Million Grand Prize Won by Waltham Mom

Larisa S. Khachiyan of Waltham became the latest lottery instant millionaire when she won a $1 million grand prize on the Max A Million game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Khachiyan received her first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Waverly Oaks Shell in Waltham. The gas station will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Max A Million, a $10 instant game, features eight instant prizes of $4 million and 25 instant prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are nearly 14 million winning tickets worth more than $400 million in the game.

Milton player wins 44th grand prize in Bonanza

Marianne F. Mitchell won the 44th grand prize of $1 million on the Billion Dollar Bonanza Game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. She received her first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

Billion Dollar Bonanza is the biggest game ever created by an American Lottery. The $20 instant game features 150 grand prizes of $1 million and 10 grand prizes of $10 million, the largest prize ever awarded in an instant game.

Mitchell of Milton bought the lucky ticket at Chab’s Daily Mart on Quincy Avenue in Quincy. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Ipswich grandmother takes home cool million

Marcia E. Greenough is the 64th Massachusetts State Lottery player to win a $1 million grand prize in the $800 Million Spectacular game. Greenough received her first of 20 annuity payments for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Danvers Gulf on Newbury Street in Danvers. The gas station will receive a $10,000 commission in the prize.

The $800 Million Spectacular, a $10 instant game, features 20 grand prizes of $2.5 million and 80 grand prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 27 million winning tickets in the game.

Martha’s Vineyard player sails
off with grand prize

Peter B.Yap of Oak Bluffs became the latest instant millionaire when he won a grand prize playing the $1,000,000 Spin game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Yap received his first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

He bought the lucky ticket at Jim’s Package Store on Lake Avenue in Oak Bluffs. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

The $1,000,000 Spin, a $5 instant game, features more than $114 million in cash prizes, including 10 grand prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 6 million winning tickets in the game.

West Roxbury mom takes home grand prize

Jessica Lopez of West Roxbury won a grand prize on the $100,000 A Year for Life game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Lopez, who opted for a lump sum payment, received a check for $650,000 today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at White Hen on Centre Street in West Roxbury. The market will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

$100,000 A Year for Life, a $10 instant game, features 10 instant prizes of $100,000 A Year for Life (minimum $2 million) and 25 instant prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 11 million winning tickets in the game.

Summer vacation rewards educator with
$2.5 million

Shari L. Langlois, a teacher assistant from North Adams, won a $2.5 million grand prize in the $800 Million Spectacular game from the Massachusetts State Lottery.

Langlois received her first of 20 annuity checks for $125,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Stop & Shop on State Road in North Adams. The supermarket will receive a $25,000 commission on the sale.

The $800 Million Spectacular, a $ 10 instant game, features 20 grand prizes of $2.5 million and 80 grand prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 27 million winning tickets in the game.

First two $1 million grand prizes won in Patriots Ticket

New Lottery game selling at near record pace; will raise $22 million in local aid

The first two $1 million grand prize winners in the brand new Patriots instant ticket have been won by a real American Patriot and a Patriot fan who was about to be laid off. Both prizes were won within a week of the release of the Patriots ticket, which is selling at near record pace.

New England Patriots, the newest $5 instant game, is a partnership between the perennial NFL powerhouse and the Massachusetts State Lottery. Treasurer Timothy P. Cahill and Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of The Kraft Group, announced the historic partnership last week at Gillette Stadium.

“Our winning partnership with the Patriots will enable us to raise millions for taxpayers while strengthening the Lottery’s portfolio and market presence,” said Treasurer Cahill, chairman of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. “This is a perfect example of doing well by doing good.”

Scott A. Hoyt, an Air Force Reserve Master Sergeant, repairs jet engines at Westover Air Force base in Chicopee as a civilian and a reservist. Hoyt formerly lived in Massachusetts but recently returned to his hometown of Rindge, N.H.

“This has been incredible,” said Hoyt, who has served in the U.S. military for 29 years. “I bought the Patriots ticket as soon as it came out. I actually won $1 million and $35. Three other tickets were winners too.”

The New England Patriots are so popular at Hoyt’s air base that work crews received approval from the NFL franchise to paint the team’s logo directly on a mammoth C-5 transport plane, he said.

Derrick Gorman, a Plymouth factory plant manager, had the choice between moving his wife and four kids to Illinois with his company or going on unemployment. He couldn’t believe his eyes when he scratched his $1 million ticket after putting his kids to bed on Tuesday night.

“I really didn’t want to relocate the family to Illinois. My wallet told me to go, but my gut told me to stay,” Gorman said. “I just got off the phone with my boss and told him that we wouldn’t be going. We own our house and I’ve lived here all my life. This is a huge relief for my family. This is once in a lifetime.”

The New England Patriots instant ticket is expected to generate more than $151 million in sales, reward players with more than $116 million in prizes and raise $22 million in local aid. The game has already sold more than $7 million in tickets during its first week on the market, placing the game among the best selling Lottery products of all time.

The game, which is currently available at 7,500 Lottery agents, features 10 instant prizes of $1 million, 4,250 VIP game ticket packages and Patriots merchandise. The marquee prizes in the game will be second-chance drawings for five pairs of New England Patriots Season Tickets for Life.

In another exciting feature, two lucky Lottery players will have the chance to win $1 million in the “Million Dollar Drive.” During two separate home games, a contestant will head onto the Gillette Stadium field to pick from 24 hidden prizes on larger-than-life instant tickets. Eight tickets will be worth $100,000; six tickets worth $200,000; four tickets worth $300,000; two tickets worth $400,000; two tickets worth $500,000 and two tickets worth $1 million.

Hoyt bought his lucky ticket at the 7-Eleven on Granby Road in Chicopee and Gorman bought his ticket at Luke’s Liquors in Plymouth. The stores will each receive a $10,000 commission on the sales. Both winners will be recognized at tonight’s Patriots pre-season game.

About the Massachusetts State Lottery
The Massachusetts State Lottery is dedicated to providing revenue for the Commonwealth's 351 cities and towns. Since 2003, the Lottery has returned more than $6.3 billion to taxpayers. The Lottery, through our 7,500 agents, offers players exciting and entertaining games, a formula that has made us among the most successful lotteries in the nation.

About the New England Patriots
The Patriots were named the eighth and final charter franchise of the American Football League (AFL) on Nov. 16, 1959 and will be celebrating their 50th anniversary season this year. In 1994, Robert Kraft purchased the franchise and vowed to bring New England its first league championship. The Patriots delivered on that promise at the end of the 2001 season and became just the second team in NFL history to win three Super Bowls in a four-year span after winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and 2004. Since 1994, the Patriots have won more games (173) and more often (.655 winning percentage) than any other NFL team. For more information, please visit www.patriots.com.

Melrose player drives home with $1 million

Donald B. Stone Jr. of Melrose is the 42nd Massachusetts State Lottery player to win $1 million on the Billion Dollar Bonanza, the biggest game ever created by an American Lottery. The $20 instant game features 150 grand prizes of $1 million and 10 grand prizes of $10 million, the largest prize ever awarded in an instant game.

Stone, pictured here with his wife Barbara, received his first of 20 annual checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

He bought the lucky ticket at McSheffrey’s Mobil on Highland Avenue in Medford. The gas station will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

East Boston player wins $650,000 prize

Irma M. Miranda is the fourth player to claim a $1 million prize on the Massachusetts State Lottery’s $100,000 A Year for Life instant game.

Miranda opted for the lump-sum payment and took home a check for $650,000 before taxes.

Miranda bought the lucky ticket at Bella’s Market located at 75 Maverick Square in East Boston. The market will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Lucky shift for Lynn waitress

Mary Blaney, a waitress at McCormick & Schmick’s seafood restaurant at Faneuil Hall in Boston, got a big tip when a colleague told her the New England Patriots cheerleaders were handing out the new Massachusetts State Lottery’s $5.00 New England Patriots instant tickets outside the restaurant on Wednesday.

Blaney’s ticket yielded an even bigger tip-a $500.00 prize. The ticket promotion, which was sponsored by the New England Patriots, gave away 1800 New England Patriots instant tickets at Faneuil Hall, South Station and North Station.

Massachusetts Lottery and the Boston Celtics Present Checks to Lucky Winners

James Parkas of Centerville, MA is presented the 2008 Celtic Championship Ring by Rich Gotham, Celtics Team President as Celtics Legend JoJo White and Lottery Executive Director Mark Cavanagh look on.

Checks for $200,000 and $100,000 were presented to four lucky Massachusetts residents by Celtics Legend JoJo White, Celtics Team President Rich Gotham and Massachusetts Lottery Executive Director Mark Cavanagh.

In the face of economic adversity the Massachusetts Lottery is giving back to the local community in partnership with the Boston Celtics. Three individuals cashed in on their winning Limited Edition 2008 NBA Champions Boston Celtics tickets and one received a 2008 Championship ring at the Sports Authority Training Center at HealthPoint yesterday. Bill Sinclair of Framingham, MA and Al Porter of Lynn, MA each won $200,000 and Carolyn Cleverly of Hull, MA won $100,000. James Parkas of Centerville, MA was the recipient of the 2008 Championship ring. Celtics Legend JoJo White, Celtics Team President Rich Gotham, and Mass Lottery Executive Director Mark Cavanagh were on hand for a photo opportunity and to congratulate the winners.

This year’s promotion of the Limited Edition 2008 NBA Champions Boston Celtics ticket is a follow-up to successful sales of the BOSTON CELTICS GREEN instant tickets which brought in more than $70 million in revenue. The 2008-2009 season promotion offered ten prizes for $200,000 each and ten more prizes for $100,000 each. So far, there have been seven $200,000 winners and six $100,000 winners. Residents also had the chance to send in two non-winning tickets to be entered into the $1 Million Parquet Floor Challenge. North End resident Olivia Scimeca, 42, chose one the 32 giant Celtics instant tickets from the parquet floor during Game 2 of the Celtics-Magic Playoff series and won $200,000 instantly.

Limited Edition 2008 NBA Champions Boston Celtics instant tickets can be purchased at one of the Lottery’s 7,500 sales locations statewide. With plenty of prizes still to be claimed, fans have a chance to win $200,000 instantly or $1 million on the parquet at a Celtics home game through the Lottery’s Second Chance Bonus Drawings.

About the Massachusetts Lottery
Over the last 6 years, the Mass Lottery has returned over $5.5 billion in local aid to the 351 cities and towns of Massachusetts. The Lottery, through our 7,500 agents, offers players exciting and entertaining games, a formula that has made us among the most successful lotteries in the nation.

About The Boston Celtics
A charter member of the Basketball Association of America (which evolved into the National Basketball Association) since 1946, the Boston Celtics have won a record 17 NBA Championships, including eight (8) in a row from 1959-1966, and have won NBA titles in three different eras. In addition, 31 former Celtics players, management or staff have been inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. In December 2002 the team returned to local ownership for the first time since 1963. For more information on the Celtics, log on to www.nba.com/celtics.

Adams 7-Eleven sells a winner

By Jennifer Huberdeau
Re-print by permission of the North Adams Transcript.

A Cropseyville, N.Y., man won $500,000 on an instant scratch ticket he purchased last week from the 7-Eleven on Columbia Street (Route 8).

Joseph M. Sciacco Jr. thought he’d only won $10,000 when he went to claim his prize in Springfield last week.

"When I went into the store to cash it in, I had originally thought it was a $500 ticket," Sciacco said in a telephone interview on Wednesday. "When the girl validated it, she said she couldn’t cash it in, so I just assumed I’d won $10,000, which is the next prize available."

To his surprise, the Springfield lottery office couldn’t cash his ticket either.

"Anything over $50,000 has to be claimed at our Braintree headquarters," a spokeswoman for the state Lottery Commission said on Wednesday.

Sciacco took home a lump-sum payment of $350,000 after taxes.

"It still hasn’t sunk in yet," he said. "I don’t have any big plans for the money. I want to pay off some bills and set up a retirement account so I don’t have to worry about things. It’s not a bad amount of money for a $5 investment. "

James Rose, owner of the 7-Eleven in Adams, said he was thrilled to hear about the winnings -- even when it was believed that the prize amount was $10,000.

"In this economy, any win is a godsend," Rose said. "He [Sciacco] was very excited that he’d won $10,000 last Wednesday. On Thursday, he stopped in the store to tell us that when he’d tried to redeem it in Springfield, he was turned away because it was a grand-prize winner."

Assistant manager Chad Dupee, who was present when the ticket was validated at the store, said Sciacco believed he had only nine matching words on the Super Cash Word ticket -- which is designed to look like a crossword puzzle.

"Apparently, he had only scratched off nine of the 10 words," Dupee said.

The Super Cash Word ticket, released in May, has 13 grand prizes of $500,000. Sciacco was the third grand-prize winner when he claimed his winnings on Friday, according to the lottery spokeswoman. A fourth grand-prize was claimed by a Dracut woman on Monday. The 7-Eleven will receive a 1 percent commission, or $5,000, for selling the winning scratch ticket.

Burlington player hits Boston Red Sox prize

Kevin W. Kelly of Burlington hit a $1 million prize playing the Limited Edition World Series Boston Red Sox instant game. Kelly, shown here with his wife Katherine and Lottery Executive Director Mark Cavanagh, arrived in Braintree today to collect the first of 20 annuity checks of $50,000 before taxes. He bought the lucky ticket at the Town Grocery located at 280 Cambridge Street in Burlington. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Limited Edition World Series Boston Red Sox instant game was introduced in April of 2008 and featured two (2) $10,000,000 and twenty (20) $1,000,000 grand prizes. To date only one (1) $1,000,000 prize remains in the game.

Malden man wins $1 million

Congratulations to Phong Quoc Lam of Malden who today claimed a $1 million prize playing the Billion Dollar Bonanza instant game. Lam, shown here, took home the first of 20 payments of $50,000 before taxes. He bought the lucky ticket at the Honey Farms store located at 25 Foster Street in Worcester. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

New Hampshire player wins $1 million in Hold ‘Em Poker

Armand J. Huskey of Salem, N.H. won a grand prize of $1 million playing the $10,000,000 Hold ‘Em instant game from the Massachusetts State lottery. He received his first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

He bought the lucky ticket at the Stop & Shop on Turnpike Highway in North Andover. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Hold ‘Em Poker, a $10 instant game, features 10 instant prizes of $4 million and 50 instant prizes of $1 million. At the end of the game, one player will win the grand prize of $10 million.

Lynn player wins a $1 million grand prize

Klung Chhay of Lynn won a grand prize of $1 million playing the $800 Million Spectacular game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Chhay received his first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

He bought the lucky ticket at Lynnway Shell in Lynn. The gas station will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

The $800 Million Spectacular, a $10 instant game, features 80 grand prizes of $1 million and 20 grand prizes of $2.5 million. Overall, there are more than 27 million winning tickets in the game.

Beverly mom takes home $1 million prize

Beverly A. Harlow became the latest instant lottery millionaire when she won a grand prize playing the Billion Dollar Bonanza game from the Massachusetts State Lottery.

Harlow, pictured here with her daughter Lindsey, received her first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree. She said she plans to use the money to pay college tuition.

She bought the lucky ticket at One Stop Market on Rantoul Street in Beverly. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Billion Dollar Bonanza is the biggest game ever created by an American Lottery. The $20 instant game features 150 grand prizes of $1 million and 10 grand prizes of $10 million, the largest prize ever awarded in an instant game.

Trucker drives home with
$100,000 A Year for Life

Lawrence J. Gates won the incredible grand prize of $100,000 A Year For Life in the newest game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. He received his first annuity checks for $100,000 the rest of his life today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

$100,000 A Year for Life, a $10 instant game, features 10 instant prizes of $100,000 A Year for Life (minimum $2 million) and 25 instant prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 11 million winning tickets in the game.

Gates, a truck driver from Plymouth, bought the lucky ticket at Pembroke Mobil on Church Street. The service station will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Dedham player wins $1 million
on Red Sox ticket

Kim M. Janosky is the third player to win a $1 million grand prize on the Boston Red Sox instant ticket from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Janosky received her first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Four Provinces Market on Dorchester Avenue in Dorchester. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

The Boston Red Sox game, a $5 instant ticket, features 10 instant prizes of $1 million and 10 instant prizes of $100,000. The game also gives players the opportunity to enter bonus drawings for Red Sox gear and the grand prize of Season Tickets for Life.

Ruby Red 7’s ticket rewards
retiree with $1 million

Christine M. Odiorne became the latest instant millionaire when she won a grand prize on the Ruby Red ticket from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Odiorne, who lives in Otter River, received her first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Stop and Shop in the Timpany Plaza in Gardner. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

Ruby Red, a $5 instant game, features 10 instant prizes of $1 million. Overall, the game contains more than 6,400,000 winning tickets including 270,000 prizes from $50 to $10,000.

Grand prize won by Southfield
construction worker

Peter J. Scala, a Southfield construction worker, took home a grand prize on the $100,000 a Year for Life game from the Massachusetts State Lottery.

Scala, pictured here with Executive Director Mark Cavanagh, decided to take the cash option for his prize. He received a check for $650,000 before taxes today rather than 20 annuity payments of $50,000.

He bought the lucky ticket at William River Country Store on Main Street in West Stockbridge. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

$100,000 a Year for Life, a $10 instant game, features 10 instant prizes of $100,000 a Year for Life (minimum $2 million) and 25 instant prizes of $1 million. Overall, there are more than 11 million winning tickets in the game.

$1 million grand prize for Tewksbury mom

Theresa M. Andrews of Tewksbury won a $1 million grand prize playing the $5,000,000 Jackpot game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Andrews, pictured here with her husband Wayne, received her first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

She bought the lucky ticket at Sunrise Market on Main Street in Wilmington. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the sale.

The Lottery’s $5,000,000 Jackpot game features 40 instant prizes of $1 million and 10 instant prizes of $5 million. Overall, the $10 game features more than $640 million in instant prizes.

Somerville player wins $1 million Bonanza

William J. Fehlan of Somerville won the 37th instant grand prize of $1 million in the Billion Dollar Bonanza game from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Fehlan, pictured here with Chief of Staff Al Grazioso, received his first of 20 annuity checks for $50,000 before taxes today at Lottery headquarters in Braintree.

He bought the lucky ticket a 350 Food Mart on Broadway in Somerville. The store will receive a $10,000 commission on the prize.

Billion Dollar Bonanza is the biggest game ever created by an American Lottery. The $20 instant game features 150 grand prizes of $1 million and 10 grand prizes of $10 million, the largest prize ever awarded in an instant game.