A change at the Massachusetts Lottery means some winners now won’t have to travel quite as far to collect their windfall. Effective Thurs., May 9, players will be able to claim prizes between $50,000 and $100,000 at the Lottery’s regional offices in Braintree, New Bedford, Springfield, Woburn, and Worcester, in addition to the agency’s Dorchester headquarters.

“We recognize the significant time commitments that people have in their daily schedules and we are pleased to offer these prize winners more options and, in some cases, drastically reduce the distance that they will have to travel to claim their prizes,” said Lottery Executive Director Michael Sweeney.

Previously, prizes greater than $50,000 could only be claimed at the Lottery’s main headquarters, which had been located in Braintree for years until it was moved earlier this year to Dorchester. The prize claim centers at headquarters and the five regional offices are open Monday through Friday from 8:45 a.m. until 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays.

– STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE