Amsterdam woman claims $3 million lottery jackpot

PHOTOGRAPHER: Marc Schultz

Mary Pratt of Amsterdam, left, talks with state lottery spokeswoman Yolanda Vega at state lottery headquarters in Schenectady on Monday morning after lottery officials introduced Pratt as a $3 million winner in the Royal Riches instant game.

Surrounded by more than a dozen family members this morning, an Amsterdam woman was awarded a ceremonial check representing the $3 million she won on a New York Lottery Royal Riches instant game.

Rosemary Pratt, 61, a beautician at Fantastic Sam’s on Route 30, stood beside her husband, Leon, and told a horde of media that the situation is “unreal.”

Pratt bought the ticket May 2 at the Mini Kwik Mart on Route 30 – across the street from her job – and was headed to the lottery’s service center in Schenectady in less than 90 minutes, state lottery spokeswoman Yolanda Vega said.

Vega said the ticket was logged as sold at 9:15 a.m., and Pratt arrived at the lottery’s claim center at 10:45.

Pratt and her husband, a retired factory worker at General Electric, were uncomfortable in the media spotlight and designated son-in-law Bruce Hopkins as family spokesman. Hopkins said the Pratts were concerned with ensuring their family would be able to continue their lives unfettered by the attention a lottery win could bring.

Rosemary Pratt said she was still considering what to do with the money, which she’ll receive in payments of $150,000 each year for the next 20 years.

“I haven’t thought about that,” she said.

Over the course of 20 years, Rosemary Pratt will receive $2,044,500, lottery spokesman John Charlson said.