Northern MI Woman Wins $6M Jackpot On Scratch-Off Ticket

ALPENA COUNTY, MI — An Alpena County woman won $6 million from a scratch=off ticket after turning in her $30 winning lottery ticket from a different game, according to Michigan Lottery officials.

The lucky player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought her winning ticket at Perch’s IGA Foodstore, located at 1025 US Highway 23 North in Alpena, lottery officials said.

The woman said she occasionally plays the $6 million jackpot game, but decided to give it a shot when cashing in her winning $30 ticket from another game.

"I scratched the barcode right away and scanned it on the Lottery machine," the lucky player said. "I got a message to file a claim at the Lottery office, so I scratched the ticket to see what I’d won."

"When I saw I had won the $6 million prize, my eyes got big, and I stood there in shock," she added. "I took the ticket home to have my husband look it over and confirm what I was seeing. We called our family and friends right after to tell them the exciting news!"

The woman chose to receive her prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $4.1 million rather than 30 annuity payments for the full amount, according to lottery officials.

With her winnings, she plans to complete some home improvements and then invest the remainder, according to lottery officials.