A self-proclaimed “huge Star Wars” fan and father from Northborough was the winner of a $5.37 million lottery jackpot prize on May 4 — the unofficial holiday celebrating the space franchise.
James Jorgensen was joined by his partner, Jennifer Jorgensen, when he claimed his winning “Megabucks” ticket on May 6. He chose to receive his prize in a one-time payment of just over $3.6 million before taxes.
Jorgensen won his jackpot prize on May 4, the informal “Star Wars” commemorative holiday.
“The best thing is I’m a huge Star Wars fan, so I was all decked out in a Star Wars hat and Star Wars shirt, and I won on May 4th which is an unofficial Star Wars holiday,” Jorgensen told the lottery.
The Northborough dad said he’s going to use the prize to buy a home and pay for his children’s college tuition.
He bought his winning ticket at Lowe’s Variety Market and Meat Shop, which is located at 255 W Main St. in Northborough. The store will receive a $50,000 bonus for selling the winning ticket.
This $5.37 million prize is the largest lottery prize won in Massachusetts so far in 2024, and the second Megabucks jackpot won since the game was redesigned on Nov. 12, 2023.
The game redesign reduced the numbers to choose from in the game from 49 to 44, which increased players’ odds of winning the jackpot and a higher average jackpot, the lottery said.
It also doubled the winning soft all non-jackpot prize tiers, and Monday drawings were added into the regular Wednesday and Saturday drawings schedule. Drawings are held at 9 p.m., and tickets to play cost $2 each.
