A Georgia woman got a gift from her father worth more than $1 million, but it wasn’t a house or an inheritance. Instead, it was a lottery ticket.
According to a press release from the Massachusetts Lottery, Vanesa Menijvar Acosta has become the first $2 million winner of the state’s $25,000,000 Mega Money game that went live on May 13.
Officials said that Acosta won the prize from a scratch-off ticket that she received as a gift from her father. Acosta told lottery officials that she plans to use the one-time payment of $1.3 million to buy a house and attend college.
But Acosta is not the only big winner from the ticket. Massachusetts Lottery officials said that the store that sold the winning ticket, East Boston Corner Market, will get a $20,000 bonus as well.
Where to buy lottery tickets
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Woman wins $2 million from gifted lottery ticket
