Massachusetts man hits $1 million prize on new State Lottery game, doesn’t plan to spend it

When some people hit big money on a State Lottery game, they are in a hurry to spend it on a home, car, or vacation. Not one of the newest big winners.

According to the Massachusetts State Lottery, William Carpenter is the winner of a $1 million prize in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s new “$2,500,000 Merry & Bright” $10 instant ticket game.

He chose the cash option on his prize and received a one-time payment of $650,000 (before taxes). Carpenter said he plans to put his winnings into savings. 

Carpenter, who is from Springfield, purchased his winning ticket at Sunoco, 336 Centre St. in Abington. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for its sale of this ticket.

The “$2,500,000 Merry & Bright” ticket is one of six holiday-themed tickets that launched on October 15. In addition to chances to win top prizes ranging from $500 to $2.5 million, players can enter non-winning holiday tickets into a drawing for chances to win cash prizes from $100 to $10,000. More information is available at masslottery.com.