MI Man Turns Losing Lottery Tickets Into $100K Prize: MI Lottery

IONIA COUNTY, MI — An Ionia County man won a $100,000 prize thanks to losing lottery tickets, according to Michigan Lottery officials.

The 51-year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous, won the prize after he was selected in a random drawing that took place April 4, according to lottery officials.

He earned entries into the giveaway by scanning non-winning 500X Money Maker tickets on the Michigan Lottery app, according to lottery officials.

"I’ve been scanning my non-winning tickets to earn entries into the second chance drawing," the lucky player told lottery officials. "When I checked my email, I saw one from the Michigan Lottery from a few days prior saying I won $100,000. I called the Lottery right away, but it was the weekend, so I had to wait until Monday to confirm I was the winner!"

"I bet I called 10 times during the weekend hoping I might get lucky and someone would be working overtime and answer the phone," he added.

With his winnings, he plans to purchase tools, pay bills, and then save the remainder, according to lottery officials.