A Brighton man just turned a $10 lottery ticket into a multimillion-dollar payday, and he says he is not keeping it all for himself. Wei Xiao Zhong of Brighton claimed a $4 million top prize after scratching a $10 "4,000,000 Cash King Doubler" ticket, according to state lottery officials. He chose the lump-sum cash option, which came to $2,600,000 before taxes, and told the Lottery he plans to donate part of the windfall. The state confirmed the claim this week.
As reported by MassLive, Zhong bought the ticket at Moda & Tobacco in Watertown, listed at 550 Arsenal St., Unit #36. The retailer will receive a $10,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket, according to the Lottery. MassLive's June 10 story notes the Lottery verified the win and released basic details about the claimant.
How the cash option works
The Massachusetts State Lottery explains that players who pick the cash option on multi-million instant games get a reduced one-time payout instead of the full advertised amount spread over time. For a $4 million top prize, that cash option is $2,600,000 before taxes. The Lottery's winners pages also spell out how retailer bonuses and payout structures differ by game and prize level, per the Massachusetts Lottery.
Winner pledges to give back
Zhong told the Lottery he intends to donate a portion of his winnings, a detail highlighted in MassLive's coverage. The outlet identifies him as a Brighton resident who selected the cash option when claiming the prize.
One of several headline-making scratch wins
This latest claim joins a growing list of big-money instant-ticket wins in Massachusetts this year. The Lottery's public winners pages show multiple multi-million and six-figure prizes being claimed in recent months. Stores that sell top-prize tickets typically receive bonuses tied to the size of the win, and the Lottery posts official claim information on its site so the public can verify details, according to the Massachusetts Lottery.
Moda & Tobacco will receive its $10,000 bonus once the prize is certified. Winners, meanwhile, are generally advised to talk with financial and tax professionals before making big moves with a sudden windfall, and Lottery officials continue to remind players to check their tickets and follow the official claim process.
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