It started off like any ordinary day—a dad stopped by a local market and picked up a lottery ticket.
But what came next was anything but ordinary. That simple ticket ended up changing his daughter’s life forever.
Vanesa Menijvar Acosta, a Georgia resident, is now celebrating a massive $2 million lottery win, thanks to a Mega Money scratch-off bought by her father at East Boston Corner Market in Massachusetts.
A Life-Changing Win With Big Plans Ahead
Vanesa officially claimed her winnings on May 28, and naturally, she already has big plans for the money.
She told officials from the Massachusetts Lottery that she’s planning to buy a house and pay for her college education—two dreams now totally within reach.
She lives in Norcross, Georgia, just outside of Atlanta, but her big break came from the Bay State, meaning Massachusetts taxes will still apply to her win.
A Tough Choice: Lump Sum or Payments?
Winners like Vanesa are given a choice: take the money in a series of payments or grab a one-time lump sum.
She opted for the latter—$1.3 million upfront, before taxes.
While it’s less than the full $2 million, the immediate payout is often the most tempting choice.
The store that sold her the winning ticket is also cashing in—East Boston Corner Market will receive a $20,000 bonus for being the lucky location.
She’s Not the Only One Hitting the Jackpot
Vanesa isn’t the only one celebrating. Another lucky Massachusetts resident, David Strickland, scratched his way to a $1 million win playing the same Mega Money game.
He revealed to lottery officials that he’s never been on vacation in his life.
Now, with his windfall, he’s planning a long-overdue trip to Las Vegas.
From Scratch Ticket to Sin City
David chose the one-time cash option too, walking away with $650,000 after taxes.
His winning ticket was purchased at Bristol County Wine and Spirits in Berkley, which now earns a $10,000 bonus from the lottery.
Like Vanesa, David also gave up a chunk of his prize by choosing the lump sum, but the instant access to the cash seemed well worth it—especially with Vegas calling.
The Tax Bite: Where the Winnings Really Go
Big lottery wins come with big tax bills. The federal government takes a standard 24% right off the top, and Massachusetts adds another 5%.
Even though Vanesa lives in Georgia, the fact that her ticket was bought in Massachusetts means the state still gets its share.
Unfortunately for winners in Massachusetts, staying anonymous isn’t an option—unlike in some other states, where winners can choose to keep their identity private.
More Mega Money Wins Are Still Up for Grabs
If you’re feeling lucky, you might want to grab a Mega Money scratch-off yourself.
According to the Massachusetts Lottery, there are still three $2 million instant prizes unclaimed, plus three jaw-dropping grand prizes of $25 million still out there.
And if you don’t hit the top jackpot, there are second-chance drawings offering payouts from $100 all the way up to $50,000.
Dreams, Taxes, and Scratch Tickets
Whether it’s a first-time vacation or a down payment on a dream home, Vanesa and David’s stories prove that luck really can strike in unexpected places.
But with great fortune comes great taxation.
Still, for both winners, the thrill of that moment—when they realized their ticket was worth a fortune—is likely something they’ll never forget.