Massachusetts man turns non-winning scratch ticket into $1 million prize in Mass Lottery’s JAWS game show

VINEYARD HAVEN, MA – As Martha’s Vineyard continues its 50th anniversary celebration of the theatrical release of JAWS, the island welcomed the Massachusetts State Lottery’s “$1,000,000 JAWS Game Show” on Sunday, where one lucky contestant landed the game’s $1 million top prize.

David Ouellette of Lowell won the $1 million prize (before taxes) in a live game show that featured 30 contestants who were selected to participate over the course of five Second Chance Drawings as part of the Mass Lottery’s JAWS instant ticket game, which went on sale in March of 2024.

“It’s incredible, it’s incredible!” said Ouellette, joined by his wife Lynn, immediately after winning the game show’s $1 million top prize. “We’ve had a great time. The Lottery, the crew that helped us, everyone has been terrific throughout this whole weekend. And thank you to all the friends we met out here.”

When asked if he has plans for his winnings, Ouellette and his wife said, “We’re not exactly sure, it hasn’t hit us yet!”

To be eligible for selection, contestants submitted non-winning JAWS instant tickets through the Mass Lottery mobile app and website. Six winners were chosen from each of the five Second Chance drawings, earning an all-expense paid weekend trip to Martha’s Vineyard, with one guest, and participation in the “$1,000,000 JAWS Game Show.” The trip package included:

• 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

“We are absolutely thrilled for our million-dollar prize winner and for all the players who were able to experience this once-in-a-lifetime trip,” said Mark William Bracken, Executive Director of the Mass Lottery. “We look forward to providing our players with more unique and memorable opportunities through our games in the future.”

As part of the game show’s first round, the 30 contestants each selected a tile to turn around and reveal their prize, including cash amounts ranging from $500 to $5,000. Two of the contestants selected tiles revealing they were moving forward to the second round, where one of them would win the top prize of $1 million and the other would receive a $10,000 prize. In the second round, the two contestants traded off selecting tiles until Ouellette was the first to choose five “$1,000,000” tiles to win it all. Joe Candido of Quincy won the $10,000 prize.

The remaining contestants are going home with prizes ranging from $500 to $5,000 as follows: $5,000 (4), $2,000 (2), $1,000 (10), and $500 (12).