Oakland County man splurges on $10 lottery ticket, ends up winning life-changing jackpot

LANSING, MI - An Oakland County man changed up the way he typically plays the Michigan Lottery and ended up winning a $1 million jackpot playing the Million Dollar Madness instant game.

"I normally only buy $1 or $5 tickets, but I splurged and bought a $10 ticket," said the 51-year-old winner who chose to remain anonymous. "I scratched it when I got home and shed tears of joy when I saw I won $1 million! My wife scanned it with her Michigan Lottery app three times to make sure it was real. Whenever I buy a ticket, I'm always hoping to win big, and I still can't believe it really happened."

The winner bought his ticket at the East Holly Oil, located at 8435 East Holly Road in Holly. He recently visited Lottery headquarters in Lansing to claim his prize and elected to receive the money as a one-time, lump-sum purchase of $693,000 rather than the annuity.

"Winning is an unbelievable and emotional experience," said the player. "It means I don't have to work so hard now and is a major relief."

With his winnings, the man plans on paying off his bills.

"Michigan Lottery games give players a chance to win prizes that will have a profound impact on their lives," said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. "Whether players choose to pay some of their good fortune forward or enjoy an early retirement, hearing from winners how winning the Lottery has eased their financial stress is rewarding."

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 Breakfast Club lottery club which claimed a $842 million jackpot in June 2024. The members plan to use the money to buy a home in Florida and travel.

And while they were lucky winners, it's smart for players to check their tickets immediately as a Mega Millions winner worth $1 million sold in Southfield in 2023 went unclaimed. The money instead went to the state's School Aid Fund.

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