News writer
There is good and bad news coming out of the Massachusetts Lottery and it all pertains to the multi-state Lucky for Life game. If you play that game and live in Massachusetts, time to check your tickets!
The good news first
The Massachusetts Lottery announced that Michael Wesley of Springfield won the $25,000 a year for life prize in the Friday, March 8 drawing. Wesley purchased a Quick Pick ticket and matched the first five numbers on that ticket to win.
On March 11, he claimed his prize at the Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters in Dorchester. Instead of getting the yearly prizes, Wesley chose the cash option and received a one-time payment of $390,000 (before taxes).
Wesley said it was an easy question when asked what he plans to do with his winnings — spend it on his children.
The winning ticket was purchased at Valero at 491 Allen St. in Springfield. For selling the winning ticket, the store will receive a $5,000 bonus.
Lucky for Life — how does it work?
Lucky for Life got its start in Connecticut in 2009. Since then, it has spread to a total of 23 jurisdictions. The drawings are held seven nights a week in Des Moines, Iowa, at 10:38 p.m. ET. Tickets cost $2 and players pick five numbers between 1 and 48 and then a Lucky Ball number between 1 and 18.
By matching all five numbers and the Lucky Ball number, players win the top prize of $1,000 a day for life, or $5.75 million as a one-time payment. For players matching the five main numbers only, the prize is $25,000 a year for life, or $390,000 as a one-time payment. If you select the regular annuity payment option, you will receive regular payment for life or a minimum of 20 years, whichever is longer. The top prize is paid weekly and the second prize is paid annually.
Lucky for Life offers 10 prize categories, ranging from $4 up to the top prize of $1,000 a day for life. The overall chances of winning a prize in Lucky for Life is 1 in 7.8.
The bad news now
It’s not completely bad news, but it could be for one Massachusetts Lottery winner if they don’t act soon. A $25,000 a year for life prize was won in the May 17, 2023, Lucky for Life drawing. However, that winning ticket remains unclaimed.
The winning ticket was purchased at J Convenience Store & Laundromat at 229 N. Main St. in Natick. For that drawing, the winning numbers were 15, 22, 28, 29, and 41 and the Lucky Ball number was 6.
Prize winners in Lucky for Life have one year from the date of the drawing to claim their prize. That means the final day to claim this prize is Friday, May 17, 2024. Time is running out, so make sure to check any old tickets you may have sitting around!
Any prizes in the Massachusetts State Lottery that go unclaimed become part of the new profit that the lottery returns to the Commonwealth for distribution to all 351 cities and towns in the state.
Enjoy playing the Massachusetts Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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