GORHAM – A Gorham man won $1 million in an instant ticket game, the Maine State Lottery announced Monday, and he has already claimed his prize – minus chunks for Uncle Sam and the state.

Robert Mezzanotte bought his winning ticket at the Hannaford in Gorham. The modest Mezzanotte declined comment Tuesday.

Tim Poulin, deputy director of the state’s Bureau of Alcoholic Beverages and Lottery Operations, said Tuesday Mezzanotte walked away with a check for $700,000.

Taxes took a big bite out of Mezzanotte’s loot. Federal taxes accounted for 25 percent, equaling $250,000, while the state grabbed another 5 percent with its $50,000 cut.

Mezzanotte received his winnings in a lump-sum check payment. Poulin said an annuity was not available for the Maine Millionaire instant ticket game.

Mezzanotte won the second of four $1 million prizes in the game.

“Everyone in the store is excited, staff and customers,” Tim Perry, Hannaford manager, said in a press release. “So we can only imagine how Robert, the winner, is feeling.”

The lottery said the Hannaford store would receive a $10,000 agent bonus for selling the winning ticket.

Perry said Mezzanotte originally thought he was purchasing a $10 instant ticket, not realizing that Maine Millionaire costs $20.

“Our Hannaford customer service offered to take it back, but he decided to keep it after all. Good decision,” Perry said.