For this Williamstown resident, a second chance paid off big at TD Garden.
How big? $1 million — before taxes.
At halftime Friday during the Boston Celtics’ duel with the Miami Heat, which ended in a 129-116 Celtics win, Chatchavan Buasaengthong of Williamstown walked onto the court with four others who had previously lost the State Lottery’s $10 Celtics Banner 18 instant ticket game. Introduced by Celtics legend Brian Scalabrine, each contestant selected an oversized version of the scratch ticket they had lost.
Four tickets hid $10,000 cash prizes, but Buasaengthong’s card revealed the $1 million grand prize.
He leaped in celebration.
“I was not expecting to win the $1 million prize! I called my wife to tell her I had won,” Buasaengthong said immediately after the win. He was presented with an oversized check by state Treasurer Deborah B. Goldberg, who also serves as chair of the State Lottery Commission. “I want to thank the Lottery for the Second Chance promotion and am proud that the money from the Lottery helps the state.”
Goldberg said that getting to present the million-dollar prize at the Celtics game “made this a slam-dunk night at the Garden.”
When asked about his plans for the winnings, Buasaengthong told a State lottery representative that he plans to buy a home and start a business.
According to Rachel Guerra, a spokesperson for the State lottery, Buasaengthong is the first person to win $1 million at TD Garden through the state’s partnership with the Celtics. All five contestants had submitted losing tickets and were pre-selected from five drawings, which also awarded prizes like free game tickets and custom jerseys. The contestants also received two free Celtics tickets and a custom jersey.
Buasaengthong’s win was the pinnacle of the promotion.
“Celebrating a $1 million winner at TD Garden was an incredible experience for everyone in attendance,” said Ted Dalton, Boston Celtics Chief Partnership Officer.
He was one of about 10 Berkshire County residents whose names were drawn during the second-chance drawings. Amber Harrington of North Adams and Lisa Levardi of Pittsfield also won all-access Celtics experiences, which included four regular-season home game tickets, access to pre-game warmups, and dinner with a Celtics legend — a package valued at approximately $19,000, according to the state.
The Banner 18 Challenge instant ticket is no longer for sale. Released last year to celebrate the Celtics’ record 18th NBA title, residents have until Oct. 16, 2026, to redeem prizes, according to the State Lottery.
Buasaengthong is one of three Berkshire residents who have won at least $1 million through the State Lottery this year. In September, Pittsfield’s Sarah Newton won $10 million from a scratch ticket purchased at a West Housatonic convenience store, and Adams’ Craig Raymond won $1 million from a ticket purchased at the Adams Racing Mart in February.
Mitchell Chapman is The Eagle’s night news editor.