$1M Lottery Winner Stuns City: ‘I’m Getting My Master’s’
Worcester Woman Wins $1 Million on Lottery Scratch Ticket — Plans to Go Back to School
The Big News in Simple Terms
Imagine buying a $5 scratch-off ticket at a gas station, scratching it with a coin, and discovering you just won $1 million. That’s exactly what happened to Ashley Hurley from Worcester, Massachusetts!
Meet the Winner
Ashley Hurley is a regular person from Worcester who got incredibly lucky. Here’s what we know about her:
- She lives in Worcester, Massachusetts
- She has big dreams: going back to school for a master’s degree in social work
- Social work means helping people and communities — a wonderful way to use her winnings!
The Prize: $1 Million (But Not All at Once)
Important Point: The Cash Option
When you win a big lottery prize, you usually have two choices:
- Annuity — Get the full $1 million paid out in smaller chunks over many years (like 30 years)
- Cash Option — Get a smaller amount all at once, right now
Ashley chose the cash option. She received $650,000 upfront — but that’s before taxes. After the government takes its share, she’ll have less, but still a life-changing amount!
Where She Bought the Winning Ticket
Ashley bought her lucky ticket at a very specific spot:
Mobil Gas Station (also called the Corner Store)
635 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA
The store gets a bonus too! $10,000 just for selling the winning ticket. That’s a nice surprise for the store owners!
The Game: "LOTERIA"
The ticket was for a game called "LOTERIA" — a scratch ticket game from the Massachusetts State Lottery.
What’s a Scratch Ticket?
Think of it like a lottery card you buy at a store. You scratch off a silver coating (like a gift card) to reveal symbols or numbers. If you match the right ones — you win instantly! No waiting for a drawing.
Worcester Is on a Lucky Streak!
This isn’t the first big win in Worcester recently:
| Date | Location | Prize | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer 2026 | Bee Zee gas station at 177 Southwest Cutoff | $1 million | Flying Spirit Trust II of Newton |
| August 2026 | Mobil/Corner Store at 635 Chandler St. | $1 million | Ashley Hurley |
Two $1 million winners in the same city in just a few months? Worcester must have four-leaf clovers growing everywhere!
What Happens Next for Ashley?
Here’s a simple step-by-step of what comes after winning:
- Claim the prize — Go to lottery headquarters with the winning ticket and ID
- Choose payment — Ashley picked the cash option ($650,000 before taxes)
- Pay taxes — Federal and state taxes will be withheld (like a big paycheck)
- Get the money — The rest is deposited or given as a check
- Plan the future — Ashley says: "Back to school for my master’s in social work!"
Summary
- Ashley Hurley from Worcester won $1 million on a "LOTERIA" scratch ticket
- She chose the cash option: $650,000 before taxes
- Ticket bought at Mobil/Corner Store, 635 Chandler St. — store gets $10,000 bonus
- She plans to earn a master’s in social work — helping others!
- Second $1M winner in Worcester this summer — the city is hot!
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
How does a scratch ticket work?
You buy a card (usually $1–$30), scratch off the coating with a coin or key, and instantly see if you won. No waiting for TV drawings!
What’s the difference between cash option and annuity?
- Cash option = smaller amount now (Ashley got $650K instead of $1M)
- Annuity = full amount paid over 30 years (about $33K/year before taxes)
Does the store really get $10,000?
Yes! In Massachusetts, retailers who sell a $1M+ winning ticket get a $10,000 bonus. It’s a "thank you" from the lottery.
How much will Ashley actually keep after taxes?
Roughly: The lottery withholds 24% federal + 5% state = 29% total right away.
$650,000 × 29% = ~$188,500 withheld → She gets ~$461,500 initially. She may owe more or get a refund at tax time.
Can anyone buy a scratch ticket?
In Massachusetts, you must be 18 or older. Always play responsibly — it’s for fun, not a financial plan!
Article based on reporting from the Telegram & Gazette, updated August 12, 2026.