Man scratches a $1M winner, but lottery ticket was a misprint

May 8, 2012, 3:20 pm (53 comments)

Massachusetts Lottery

By Todd Northrop

A Massachusetts man thought he won a $1 million lottery prize until he realized the ticket he had was a misprint.

Paul Pasquarosa of Boston, Massachusetts, was overjoyed when he learned that his Cashword scratch-off lottery ticket had matched three red words, which equals a million-dollar prize.

But luck for the father of two quickly faded when the ticket was determined to be defective.

Instead of becoming a millionaire, Mr. Pasquarosa was in possession of one of the 2,200 tickets for the game that had a misprint.

It was tough news for Mr. Pasquarosa, who is unemployed.

"I'm looking at it; I have three red words. It says three red words wins a million dollars. I called my son and told him things were gonna be OK," Pasquarosa said.

So he was devastated to find out he didn't win anything.

He had three red words — which equals a million on the prize key, but the ticket was defective.

Pasquarosa's lawyer, George Miller, took a look at the ticket.  "At first glance I believe this gentleman won a million, but on a closer inspection I saw there was an offset in the printing.  Mr. Pasquarosa was not just disappointed, but visibly ill."

Officials with the lottery confirmed that there was a printing error, and they had attempted to remove the 2,200 misprinted tickets from the circulation of 20 million for the game.  Unfortunately for Mr. Pasquarosa, they apparently did not remove all the misprinted tickets.

Paul believes that one lesson to be learned from his experience is to always check your ticket before you leave the store.  At the same time, he believes the lottery should take responsibility to selling defective tickets.

"Someone should be liable," Pasquarosa said.  "They didn't do their job."

Paul's lawyer questioned, "Is this a situation where there are a lot of defects being put out by the lottery?  If there is, should they be taking precautions to make sure they're not giving hope to individuals being solicited by the lottery?"

The Massachusetts Lottery is suggesting that anyone with a misprinted ticket should contact their Claims/Legal Department.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

maximumfun's avatarmaximumfun

He should be the winner of 1M.

mcginnin56

One would think there should at least be some consolation prize to atone for such mistakes. To keep good public relations, and as a compromise

to appease the lottery customer, how about a $500 check from the lottery commission? And to give further options, why not offer a choice of

$1000 worth of scratch/on line tickets instead of the check?  Roll Eyes

 

If your reading this MA Lottery Commission, loosen your purse strings, and do the right thing!  Thumbs Up

dk1421's avatardk1421

There should definitely be a consolation prize!! And heck, more than $500! Something standard like 1% of the prize they thought they won? He would get $10,000 then - not bad and will keep away lawyers who would take a bigger bite out of the pie.

maximumfun's avatarmaximumfun

**IF** you are reading this MA Lottery Commission:  SHAME on you.  SHAME! (typed in 'scolding-mother' font)

NOW go and do the right thing.

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by maximumfun on May 8, 2012

**IF** you are reading this MA Lottery Commission:  SHAME on you.  SHAME! (typed in 'scolding-mother' font)

NOW go and do the right thing.

There's gonna be a policy change now!  Eek   Scared

RJOh's avatarRJOh

The Massachusetts Lottery is suggesting that anyone with a misprinted ticket should contact their Claims/Legal Department.

What does that mean?  Do they get an official "sorry loser" , another ticket and some money for their trouble or is it their way of removing defective tickets out of circulation?

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by dk1421 on May 8, 2012

There should definitely be a consolation prize!! And heck, more than $500! Something standard like 1% of the prize they thought they won? He would get $10,000 then - not bad and will keep away lawyers who would take a bigger bite out of the pie.

I suggested that smaller amount, in lieu of the fact that there were over 2200 defective tickets out there. Obviously $1,000,000.00 would be

the preferred compensation for such a mistake, but something is better than nothing. Crying

mcginnin56

Quote: Originally posted by RJOh on May 8, 2012

The Massachusetts Lottery is suggesting that anyone with a misprinted ticket should contact their Claims/Legal Department.

What does that mean?  Do they get an official "sorry loser" , another ticket and some money for their trouble or is it their way of removing defective tickets out of circulation?

Do they get an official "sorry loser"

Yup, then a quick escort and kick to the rear exit leading into the alley.  Green laugh

Spincognito

It was not the playing field or symbols that were misprinted, it was the payout table off to the side of the play area. It was obvious that it was misprinted (or should have been). Crap like this happens. the guy did not win and should not get rewarded. He never even took it to the lottery for verification. Google News the story and you will see a pic of the ticket. Also, Mass lottery FB page gives a better explanation.

 

Carry on....

psykomo's avatarpsykomo

                                                        BatDupe AlertBat

 

 

                                                           CRAP MA

 

                                                                      No Pity!

 

                                        Thinking of...TurkeyThinking of...

JoeBigLotto's avatarJoeBigLotto

This is what I don't understand can my lossing ticket be a misprint too and if yes will they pay me my millions even though my ticket print says looser. Lol

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

The back of tickets in jersey reads in part

"Liability for missprints or other errors is limited to refund or replacement."

I'm sure MA. has covered their azz on this also.

maximumfun's avatarmaximumfun

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on May 8, 2012

The back of tickets in jersey reads in part

"Liability for missprints or other errors is limited to refund or replacement."

I'm sure MA. has covered their azz on this also.

It's MA... of course A-covering is job #1.  (only place better?  rhode island)

Stack47

Quote: Originally posted by Spincognito on May 8, 2012

It was not the playing field or symbols that were misprinted, it was the payout table off to the side of the play area. It was obvious that it was misprinted (or should have been). Crap like this happens. the guy did not win and should not get rewarded. He never even took it to the lottery for verification. Google News the story and you will see a pic of the ticket. Also, Mass lottery FB page gives a better explanation.

 

Carry on....

Must have went to the wrong Mass Lottery facebook page because the one I saw was from Wikipedia. Ironic that in the article the lottery almost bragged about winning a lawsuit filed by a 94-year-old woman who wanted the cash option for her $5.4 million Megabucks ticket.

You have some classy people running the Massachusetts Lottery.

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