Massachusetts

Massachusetts Husband and Wife Win $1M Prizes in Separate Contests

The Goodwins says they will use their winnings to buy a home in a community where they won't have to shovel snow

A Massachusetts man has won a $1 million jackpot in the state lottery just months after his wife won her own $1 million prize in a different contest.

Lottery officials say Robert Goodwin, of Randolph, won the money Monday after buying a $5 instant ticket for the $1,000,000 Platinum Payout game. He chose to accept the lump sum prize totaling about $650,000.

Goodwin said he purchased his winning ticket at Fast Lane Convenience in Holbrook. The store will receive a $10,000 bonus for the sale.

Goodwin's wife, Jane, won $1 million in the Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes in August. She said she found out as she disembarked from a ferry in Plymouth after a day trip to Provincetown with a friend.

"Just got lucky, just got very lucky," said Jane Goodwin. "We made some gifts, and we paid off all our bills." 

The Goodwins are a patient couple. They’ve been sitting on Robert's winning ticket since November, but waited to cash it in just this week. 

"Definitely because of tax reasons," said Robert Goodwin. 

The tax burden on $2 million in the same year, is a tough hit to the bottom line. So now, they’re finally celebrating and planning on moving into a new house, being reminded again, life is way too short. 

"Which is why we took the lump sum," said Robert Goodwin. "You want a 20-year payment, I’ll be lucky if i make another five." 

The Goodwins say they will use their winnings to buy a home in an over-55 community where they won't have to shovel snow.

Lottery officials say four additional $1 million prizes remain in the $1,000,000 Platinum Payout instant game.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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