It took a few days, but I now have the $100 I won on a scratch ticket last weekend while visiting Concord. My triumph was delayed when the cashier declined to give me my winnings claiming he had no money. I was so perturbed by this development that I emailed the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission while I waited for the commuter rail train back home.
Yesterday, I heard back from the Massachusetts State Lottery Commission. They indicated that while I could redeem my ticket with any lottery agent there are situations where smaller outlets might not be able to give out cash. If certain stores have a high probability of being unable to pay winnings of $600 or less, it still begs the question why these entities sell lottery tickets in the first place. In any case, to minimize the chances of this happening, the Commission recommended going to a grocery store which typically has a larger reserve of cash.
In which case, the cashier at Cumberland Farms was correct. I could have gone to Crosby's to claim my winnings. But I was in a hurry to catch my train. The fact that he felt compelled to tell me how much his life sucked didn't make me inclined to believe him. I was also just plain annoyed he sold me a lottery ticket without telling me he couldn't pay me if I had won anything.
Well, good things come to those who wait. After work this evening I went to the Star Market near Porter Square on the Cambridge-Somerville line and claimed my winnings. The cashier asked me if I wanted to buy other lottery tickets. I'm aware this does happen, but I like to quit while I'm ahead. I just wanted my winnings. While it could be said $100 isn't what it used to be, it is still $100 more than what I had.
There will be other days for scratch tickets.
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