August 18, 2021

Leonard Thomas of South Dennis, MA is the winner of a $500,000 Powerball prize, claiming his prize one day before it was due to expire.  The prize was won in the August 19, 2020 drawing.

“I heard about a Powerball ticket expiring on the radio and then my nephew told me,” said Thomas.  “I play at that store and have a plastic sleeve that I keep my tickets in.  When I heard about the expiring ticket, I looked through the tickets in the sleeve and found a Powerball ticket from August 19, 2020.  I had it scanned at a convenience store and the clerk indicated that I had to go to the Lottery to claim the prize.”

Thomas claimed his prize at Mass Lottery headquarters in Dorchester Wednesday, accompanied by his dog Mariah. He plans on using his winnings to buy a small house or year-round cottage.

“What a great reminder to our lottery customers! Always be sure to check your tickets and keep them in a safe place,” said State Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, Chair of the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission.  “We are thrilled that Leonard, and his dog Mariah, saw the announcement about the expiring ticket and were able to cash it in!”

Thomas purchased his winning ticket at South Dennis Mobil, 452 Route 134 in South Dennis.  The retailer has received a $5,000 bonus for its sale of this winning ticket.

The winning numbers for this drawing were 13-23-47-55-58, with a Powerball of 23.  His Quic Pic ticket matched four of the first five numbers, plus the Powerball.  Since this ticket included the Power Play option and the Power Play multiplier for this drawing was 10X, the base prize of $50,000 was multiplied 10 times for a total value of $500,000 (before taxes).

Powerball and other draw game prize winners have one year from the date of the drawing to claim prizes.  Lottery prizes that expire become part of the net profit that the Lottery returns to the Commonwealth for distribution to all 351 cities and towns.

Starting Monday, August 23, Monday drawings will join the lineup of Powerball drawings currently held Wednesday and Saturday nights at 10:59 p.m.  Powerball tickets are $2 per play.  The Power Play add-on feature is available for an additional $1 per play to multiply non-jackpot prizes.