Claiming Prizes in Massachusetts

Learn how to claim a prize in Massachusetts if you win on an instant game, whether it is just a few dollars or a jackpot worth millions.

Regardless of how much you win, you have one year from the end date of the relevant scratch-off to come forward and claim your prize. If the game remains active and a closing date has not yet been announced, it means the deadline is still unknown and will be more than a year away.

Claiming By Prize Value

Prizes of $600 or Below – If you win up to $600, you can just go to a Massachusetts Lottery retail location to redeem your prize. Alternatively, go to a lottery office or mail in your winning ticket.

Prizes from $600 to $25,000 – You can’t claim prizes of more than $600 from a retailer, but you can claim by mail up to the value of $50,000 (details further down the page), or go to a lottery office up to $103,000. Another option for prizes up to $5,000 is to claim via mobile cashing on the Mass Lottery app. This just requires you to have a player account, then you can scan your instant ticket and start a claim if you win. The prize will be added directly to your bank account.

Prizes Above $103,000 – Win more than $103,000 and you must collect your prize in person from the MA Lottery headquarters in Dorchester.

Regional Lottery Offices

If you are claiming a prize in person, you must provide a signed winning ticket, plus photo identification such as your passport and proof of your Social Security number. Here are the addresses of the regional offices where you can claim prizes.

Dorchester Headquarters
  • 150 Mount Vernon Street
  • Dorchester, MA 02125-3573
  • (781) 849-5555
Braintree Regional Office
  • 1515 Washington Street
  • Braintree, MA 02184
  • (781) 849-5601
Lawrence Regional Office
  • Stadium Plaza, 160 Winthrop Avenue
  • Lawrence, MA 01843
  • (978) 975-2674
New Bedford Regional Office
  • 200 Theodore Rice Boulevard
  • New Bedford, MA 02745
  • (508) 985-9892
West Springfield Regional Office
  • 383 Memorial Avenue, Century Plaza
  • West Springfield, MA 01089
  • (413) 781-3880
Worcester Regional Office
  • 135 Gold Star Boulevard
  • Worcester, MA 01606
  • (508) 755-7855

Claiming By Mail

You can claim any prize up to $50,000 by mail. You’ll need to send in your signed winning ticket, along with a completed claim form. Make sure to attach copies of your photo identification and proof of Social Security number (for prizes above $600). The address for mail-in claims is shown below. It is recommended that you use certified or registered mail.

Massachusetts State Lottery

Taxes

Taxes are withheld at state and federal levels if you win a prize on an instant game in Massachusetts. The threshold for state tax is $5,000, so any win above this value will be subject to a five percent withholding, in addition to federal taxes. If you receive a big prize you should contact a tax expert for advice.