Massachusetts man plans on sharing the wealth after hitting $1 million State Lottery prize

DORCHESTER, MA – A local man plans on spreading the wealth after a big State Lottery win.

According to the Massachusetts State Lottery, Michael Stephens of Dighton is the second $1 million prize winner in the Massachusetts State Lottery’s new JAWS instant ticket game that went on sale Tuesday, March 26.

Stephens, who said that he used to be a deep sea fisherman, chose to receive his prize in the form of a one-time payment of $650,000 (before taxes). He said he plans to share the winnings with his family and travel with his wife.

Stephens, who claimed his prize Monday, April 22 at Mass Lottery headquarters in Dorchester, purchased his $1 million winning ticket at Olde Village Corner Store, 2756 County St. in Somerset. The store receives a $10,000 bonus for its sale of this ticket.

The JAWS instant ticket game includes three more instant grand prizes of $1 million. Following last week’s Second Chance Drawing in which six lucky winners were awarded a JAWS-inspired trip for two to Martha’s Vineyard in the summer of 2025, four additional drawings for a total of 24 more trips remain. While on Martha’s Vineyard, all 30 trip winners will participate in a JAWS-themed Game Show in which one contestant is guaranteed to win a $1 million prize. All other contestants will win a guaranteed prize ranging from $500 to $10,000.

Trip winners are randomly selected from non-winning tickets submitted into Second Chance Drawings. Trip packages include:

• 3-night stay for two at Harbor View Hotel in Edgartown
• Black car service to and from port
• Ferry to and from island, plus island transportation
• Daily breakfast
• Welcome toast/dinner with entertainment at Harbor View Hotel
• Taste of the Vineyard Dinner at Harbor View Lawn
• $1,000 spending cash
• JAWS branded welcome gift
• JAWS Island Tour with custom guided bus across the island
• Private JAWS movie screening at Harbor View Hotel
• “Shark Infested Waters” theme party on Harbor View Lawn

Massachusetts is the first U.S. lottery to offer a JAWS instant ticket. The ticket is available at Mass Lottery retailers across the state.

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