Maryland man wins $1 mn Massachusetts Lottery but gets $650,000 only. Here's why

A Maryland man won a $1 million prize after buying a Massachusetts Lottery scratch-off ticket while visiting family, but he will receive $650,000 before taxes after choosing the cash option.

The Mechanicsville man, Cory Choquette, was reportedly visiting family in Massachusetts when he bought a “100X” instant ticket from Valero on North Main Street in Palmer.

The ticket turned out to be worth a seven-figure prize.


Choquette claimed the $1 million prize at Massachusetts State Lottery headquarters in Dorchester, authorities announced this week.

However, he did not take the prize as an annuity. Instead, he chose to receive a one-time cash payment of $650,000 before taxes.

So why did he get $650,000 instead of the advertised $1 million?

The $1 million prize represents the value of the prize when paid through the lottery's annuity option. Winners who choose an immediate lump-sum payment receive the prize's cash value, which is lower than the total annuity amount.

In Choquette's case, that cash value was $650,000. Taxes will further reduce the amount he ultimately takes home.

Despite receiving less than the advertised $1 million, Choquette said he already knows where the unexpected windfall will go — toward his children's futures.

His lucky stop also benefited someone in Massachusetts, as the winning “100X” ticket was purchased at a local store in Palmer.

Massachusetts State Lottery: Games, Prizes, Taxes and Eligibility

The Massachusetts State Lottery has been operating since 1971, with its primary purpose being to raise revenue for local aid distributed among the state's 351 cities and towns. It offers a range of lottery products, including instant-win scratch tickets and online games.

Scratch tickets are available at multiple price points, starting at $1 and going up to $50. Depending on the particular game, players can compete for top prizes ranging from thousands of dollars to millions. Some Massachusetts Lottery games also feature lifetime prize opportunities, including “Cash for Life,” which can offer weekly payments for the winner's lifetime.

How much tax is deducted from Massachusetts Lottery prizes?

Lottery winnings may be subject to both state and federal tax withholding. Massachusetts applies a 5% state withholding rate to prizes above $600. Federal withholding can also apply to larger prizes, with 25% federal withholding for qualifying lottery winnings of at least $5,000.

The amount withheld at the time a prize is claimed is not necessarily the winner's final tax liability. The winner's actual tax bill can depend on their individual tax circumstances.

Who can play the Massachusetts Lottery online?

Players must meet certain requirements to participate in the Massachusetts Lottery's digital offerings.

• Age: Players must be at least 21 years old to purchase lottery products digitally, play eligible online games or use the official app.
• Location: Online lottery purchases and account funding require the player to be physically located within Massachusetts.
• Social Security number: Players may need to provide a valid Social Security number when setting up an online account, particularly when using digital prize-claim or cashing services.

The Massachusetts Lottery offers both traditional and digital options, but eligibility and claiming requirements can vary depending on the type of game and prize.