Massachusetts woman has son to thank for State Lottery win, here is how she plans to spend the cash

A $100,000 Mass Cash prize won in the May 1, 2024, drawing was claimed two weeks before it was set to expire.

According to the Massachusetts State Lottery, Margot Garstka of Chicopee is the winner of this grand prize, which she won on a free Quic Pic ticket she received as part of the Massachusetts State Lottery’s Fishin’ for Quic Pics promotion last spring.

Garstka said she was tipped off by her son after he saw a news story about an unclaimed ticket. “My son saw it on the news and said, ‘Ma, you got a ticket in that drawer,’ and we looked at the numbers and they were right,” said Garstka, who added that the ticket was sitting in her “junk drawer” alongside a couple of screwdrivers.

Garstka claimed her $100,000 prize (before taxes) Tuesday, April 15 at the Massachusetts State Lottery’s West Springfield claim center. The winning numbers for this drawing were 6-11-18 -24-26.

She said she plans on putting the winnings towards her savings as well as her great grandchildren.

During the Fishin’ for Quic Pics promotion, players who spent $4 or more on any draw or monitor game on a single ticket had the chance to win a $1 Quic Pic ticket.

Garstka received her winning ticket after making a qualifying purchase at Big Y, 650 Memorial Dr. in Chicopee. The store has received a $1,000 bonus for its sale of this winning ticket.

Mass Cash 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.

Mass Cash drawings are conducted seven nights a week. The cost of each play is $1. To play, you must pick five out of 35 numbers or choose Quic Pic, which randomly picks the five numbers for you. Tickets that match all five winning numbers selected in the drawing win the game’s top prize.