CONCORD, N.H. – Londonderry resident Frances Bergeron became New Hampshire’s newest multimillionaire yesterday when she won $2.6 million during a live drawing at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway just prior to the start of the ISM Connect 300 NASCAR race. Eleven finalists took part in the live drawing, with winners taking home prizes ranging from $2,500 to $50,000, in addition to the $2.6 million grand prize. Bergeron has the option of taking home $2,000 per week for 25 years—the equivalent of $2.6 million—or accepting a one-time cash payout of $1 million. (Prize amounts are calculated before taxes.)
In addition to Bergeron, Melrose, Mass. resident Barbara Peterson won $50,000 and Goffstown resident Jim Blanco won $10,000.
“Standing on stage looking up tens of thousands of excited race fans with $2.6 million at stake, it has to be an absolutely amazing feeling,” said Charlie McIntyre, executive director of the New Hampshire Lottery. “What an incredible way to select New Hampshire’s newest multimillionaire. I want to congratulate our grand prize winner, Frances Bergeron, and all our finalists, who are all winners today!”
“I can’t even tell you. Never in a million years did I think I’d win,” Bergeron said moments after becoming the grand prize winner. “It still hasn’t sunk in.”
Finalists were each selected from a preliminary drawing held earlier this summer from non-winning $2,000 A Week For Life scratch tickets. In addition to the grand prize, the following prizes were up for grabs today: one prize of $50,000; one prize of $10,000; four prizes of $5,000; and four prizes of $2,500.
Winners and their prize amounts include:
· John Prescott of Meredith, NH - $5,000
· Ray Pederzani of White River Junction, VT - $5,000
· David Ross of Milan, NH - $5,000
· Frances Bergeron of Londonderry, NH – Grand Prize Winner - $2.6 million
· Jim Blanco of Goffstown, NH - $10,000
· Ronald Gauthier of Nashua, NH - $2,500
· Lester Pearl of Belmont, NH - $2,500
· John Neville of Goffstown, NH - $2,500
· Ray Leary of Danville, NH - $2,500
· Barbara Peterson of Melrose, MA - $50,000
· Michael & Karen Chadwick of Warner, NH - $5,000
The $20 $2,000 A Week For Life scratch ticket launched in November 2014 and offered a total of $14.7 million in prizes.
About New Hampshire Lottery
Since 1964, the New Hampshire Lottery has had a significant financial impact on the state. For the past 53 years, the New Hampshire Lottery has recorded almost $6.0 billion in lottery sales and other earnings, with over $3.8 billion being paid in prizes and other cost of sales. Net proceeds to education total more than $1.7 billion to date.
The New Hampshire Lottery Commission, located at 14 Integra Drive in Concord, currently manages all lottery operations in the state, including instant games, New Hampshire Powerball®, New Hampshire Mega Millions®, New Hampshire Hot Lotto® Sizzler, Tri-State Megabucks℠ Plus, Tri-State Pick3®/Pick4® Daily Numbers games, Gimme 5, Fast Play games and Lucky For Life®.