Massachusetts man can thank his friend for winning $2 million prize on State Lottery scratch ticket

A Massachusetts man has his friend to thank for winning big money on a State Lottery scratch ticket.

Michael Silva is the first $2 million prize winner in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “Billion Dollar Extravaganza” instant ticket game, the Mass Lottery’s first $50 ticket.

Silva, who is from Gloucester, said that after winning $50 on a $10 ticket, he asked a friend what he should do with his winnings. The friend said, “go big or go home,” so he decided to try his luck on a $50 ticket, which turned out to be a big winner.

He purchased his winning ticket at 7-Eleven, 50 Bass Ave. in Gloucester. The store receives a $20,000 bonus for its sale of this ticket. Silva chose the cash option on his prize and received a one-time payment of $1,300,000 (before taxes).