‘This Can’t Be Real:’ MI Man Wins Big On Scratch-Off Ticket

JACKSON COUNTY, MI — A Jackson County man said he is closer to retirement after winning $1 million on a scratch-off ticket, according to Michigan Lottery officials.

The lucky 48-year-old player bought his winning Millionaire Maker ticket at Lakeside Convenience Store, which is located at 506 5th Street in Michigan Center, lottery officials said.

"I’ve been buying one Millionaire Maker ticket a week since the game came out," he told lottery officials. "I scratched the ‘Your Numbers’ section of the ticket first and saw 44 had ‘$1MIL’ underneath it. Then I scratched the ‘Winning Numbers’ section next. When I revealed 44 as one of my winning numbers, I thought: ‘This can’t be real!’ I tried to stay calm, but I was so excited."

He chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $693,000 rather than annuity payments for the full amount, lottery officials said.

He told lottery officials he plans to save his winnings for retirement.