Mass. Woman Wins $2M Powerball: ‘I Thought It Was Fake’
Massachusetts Woman Wins $2 Million in Powerball on Historic Jackpot Day
The Big News in Simple Terms
Imagine buying a lottery ticket at your local convenience store and waking up a millionaire! That’s exactly what happened to Almasa Cajic from Lynn, Massachusetts. She won $2 million playing Powerball on the very same day someone else in Illinois hit the massive $1.04 billion jackpot—the 8th largest in Powerball history.
Important Point: Almasa didn’t win the billion-dollar jackpot, but she still won a life-changing amount by matching most of the winning numbers!
How She Won: The Step-by-Step Breakdown
1. Buying the Ticket
- Where: Robinson News Convenience on Eastern Avenue in Malden
- When: Last Wednesday (the same day as the billion-dollar drawing)
- What she played: Powerball with the Power Play option (costs an extra $1)
2. The Drawing Happens
- Five white balls + one red Powerball are drawn
- Almasa’s ticket matched all five white balls but not the red Powerball
3. The Power Play Magic
- Normally, matching 5 numbers = $1 million
- But she paid $1 extra for Power Play
- The Power Play multiplier was 2x that night
- Result: $1 million × 2 = $2 million!
4. Claiming the Prize
- She went to Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters in Dorchester on Thursday
- Received $2 million before taxes
- The store gets a $20,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket
What She Plans to Do With the Money
Almasa told lottery officials she has a beautiful plan for her winnings:
- Buy a house in Massachusetts (her current home state)
- Buy another house in Bosnia (her home country)
Important Point: Lottery winnings are taxed! The $2 million is before taxes—she’ll receive less after federal and state taxes take their share.
Other Big Winners That Same Night
It wasn’t just Almasa and the billion-dollar winner celebrating! Four other $1 million tickets were sold in:
| State | Prize Amount |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $1 million |
| California | $1 million |
| Florida | $1 million |
| North Carolina | $1 million |
Note: These winners matched 5 numbers but didn’t buy the Power Play option (or the multiplier wasn’t 2x for them).
Powerball Basics: ELI5 Explanation
How to Win the Jackpot
You need to match ALL of these:
- First white ball number
- Second white ball number
- Third white ball number
- Fourth white ball number
- Fifth white ball number
- The red Powerball number
Miss even one? No jackpot. But you can still win smaller prizes!
What is Power Play?
- Costs $1 extra per ticket
- Multiplies non-jackpot prizes by 2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x
- The multiplier is randomly chosen before each drawing
- Does NOT apply to the jackpot
Summary
- Almasa Cajic from Lynn, MA won $2 million in Powerball
- She bought her ticket at Robinson News Convenience in Malden
- Matched 5 numbers (not the Powerball) + used Power Play (2x)
- Claimed prize Thursday at Lottery HQ in Dorchester
- Plans to buy homes in Massachusetts and Bosnia
- Store receives $20,000 bonus
- Same night: $1.04 billion jackpot won in Illinois (8th largest ever)
- Four other $1 million winners across the US
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Did Almasa win the billion-dollar jackpot?
No. She won $2 million by matching 5 numbers + Power Play. The $1.04 billion jackpot was won by a single ticket in Illinois.
What is the Power Play option?
It’s an extra $1 you pay when buying a Powerball ticket. It multiplies any non-jackpot prize you win (2x, 3x, 4x, 5x, or 10x). Almasa got 2x, turning $1 million into $2 million.
Does the store really get $20,000?
Yes! In Massachusetts, retailers that sell winning tickets of $1 million or more receive a $20,000 bonus. It doesn’t come out of the winner’s prize.
How much will Almasa actually take home after taxes?
The $2 million is before taxes. Federal tax (24% withholding) + Massachusetts state tax (5%) will be deducted. She’ll receive roughly $1.42 million after initial withholdings, though final tax bill may vary.
Can anyone buy a Powerball ticket in Massachusetts?
Yes! You must be 18 or older. Tickets are sold at licensed retailers across the state (convenience stores, gas stations, etc.). Drawings are Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 PM ET.
Remember: Play responsibly. Lottery tickets are for fun—not a financial plan. The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million!