A family trip to Massachusetts turned into a $1 million lottery win
A family trip up north turned into a $1 million payday for a Maryland man. Cory Choquette of Mechanicsville was visiting relatives when he bought a $10 100X scratch ticket at a Valero on North Main Street in Palmer, Massachusetts, and hit the $1 million jackpot.
Choquette claimed the prize at Massachusetts Lottery headquarters in Dorchester on August 10, the lottery announced this week. He took the cash option, a one-time $650,000 before taxes, rather than the full $1 million spread over years as an annuity. That is the choice nearly every winner makes and he says the money is headed toward his children's futures.
There is a tax wrinkle in winning out of state. As a Maryland resident who won in Massachusetts, Choquette owes tax in both states: Massachusetts taxes the win where it happened, and Maryland taxes its residents on income from anywhere, typically with a credit for what he pays Massachusetts, all on top of federal tax.
His stop paid off for the store, too. The Valero at 1520 North Main Street in Palmer earns a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket. Massachusetts runs the most generous scratch-offs in the country, and the $10 100X is one of the stronger tickets on its shelves, which is on our Massachusetts ValueScore rankings.
Sources
Daily Voice: Maryland man wins $1M Massachusetts lottery prize
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who won $1 million on a Massachusetts 100X ticket?
Cory Choquette of Mechanicsville, Maryland, who bought the $10 100X scratch ticket at a Valero on North Main Street in Palmer while visiting family. He claimed the prize at Massachusetts Lottery headquarters in Dorchester and says the money is going toward his children's futures.
How much did he take home?
He chose the cash option, a one-time $650,000 before taxes, rather than the $1 million paid as an annuity. That is about 65% of the advertised prize, and federal tax plus state tax still come out of it.
Does a Maryland resident owe tax on a Massachusetts lottery win?
Yes, in both states. Massachusetts taxes the winnings where they were won, and Maryland taxes its residents on income from anywhere, usually giving a credit for the tax already paid to Massachusetts. Federal tax applies on top. Our lottery tax calculator estimates the bill.
Jessie Jurado is a news writer who covers new scratch-off launches, state lottery guides, taxes on winnings, news, and much more. She joined ScratchCheck in 2026 and writes the site's state-by-state coverage.
