A Nantucket resident is the latest local to strike it rich after claiming a major prize from the Massachusetts State Lottery. Dipak Thapa secured a $500,000 top prize in the lottery’s “$500,000 Frenzy” scratch ticket game, lottery officials announced.
Thapa purchased his winning $50 scratch ticket at the Old South Diner, located at 57 Old South Road in Nantucket. Opting for the cash payout rather than annuity payments, Thapa received a one-time lump sum of $355,000 before taxes. According to the Massachusetts State Lottery, he stated that he plans to save and invest his winnings.
Old South Diner Continues Impressive Lottery Winning Streak
Thapa’s $500,000 windfall adds to a remarkable and ongoing streak of major lottery prizes sold at the Old South Diner. The island establishment has built a reputation as one of the luckiest retail spots for lottery players in Massachusetts.
Store supervisor Binod BK previously reported that the diner typically averages between $80,000 and $100,000 in monthly lottery ticket sales, placing the business in the top 20% of annual sales among all lottery agents statewide. For selling Thapa’s winning ticket, the Old South Diner will receive a $5,000 bonus commission.
The diner’s streak includes several notable high-dollar payouts over recent years:
- March 11, 2024: Jose Fontanez of Boston won a $1 million prize on a “$4,000,000 Bonus Bucks” ticket.
- June 10, 2024: Garen Downie of Hyannis won a $2 million prize on a “Lifetime Millions” ticket.
- August 20, 2024: Island chef Sean Durnin claimed a $1 million prize on a “$10,000,000 Bonanza” ticket.
- March 5, 2026: Nantucket business owner Yancy Contreras Menjivar hit a $2 million scratch ticket prize.
- March 26, 2026: Local resident Mary Haley won a $2 million prize on a Powerball ticket purchased at the diner.
Details on the “$500,000 Frenzy” Game
The “$500,000 Frenzy” instant game requires players to wager $50 per ticket for a chance at the half-million-dollar top reward. Following Thapa’s claim, state lottery figures show that 31 grand prizes remain available in the ongoing scratch game across Massachusetts.
Lottery officials noted that Thapa’s claim coincided with a broader statewide wave of luck. This marked part of a stretch where multiple $500,000 top prizes were claimed across different games over three consecutive days.
