LANSING, MI -- A man passing through Michigan was shocked when he realized he’d won a $1 million prize playing the Michigan Lottery’s Mystery Multiplier instant game.
“I’m a truck driver, so I’m in Michigan a lot and like to buy Lottery tickets while I’m here,” said the 48-year-old winner from Illinois. “I scratched the barcode and scanned the ticket right when I purchased it. When I got a message to file a claim, I assumed I had won one of the $2,000 prizes.
“I scratched the ticket when I got back in my truck and couldn’t believe it when I saw I’d won $1 million. I didn’t believe it was real until I called the Lottery office to confirm my prize.”
The winner -- who chose to remain anonymous -- bought his ticket at the Speedway gas station, located at 24118 Cole Avenue in Mattawan, approximately 15 miles southwest of Kalamazoo.
He elected to receive his prize as a one-time, lump-sum payment of $693,000 rather that the annuity. With his winnings, he plans on buying a new vehicle and saving the remainder.
For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games.
The last players from Michigan to win a Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot is the Wolverine FLL lottery club which claimed a $1.05 billion jackpot in March 2021. With their winnings, the group plans to give back to the community.
And while they were lucky winners, it’s smart for players to check their tickets immediately as a winner worth $1 million sold in Warren last year went unclaimed. The money instead went to the state’s School Aid Fund.
If you’d like to be the next player from Michigan to win a huge lottery prize, take a look at these tips from lottery expert Richard Lustig. The author of “Learn How To Increase Your Chances Of Winning The Lottery” has won more than $1 million in Florida by winning top jackpot prizes in smaller games.