Man having 'worst day' wins $2 million in Michigan Lottery

Mar 29, 2017, 8:21 am (14 comments)

Michigan Lottery

SAGINAW COUNTY, Mich. — A Saginaw County man was not having a good day, but winning $2 million in a Michigan Lottery scratch-off game can change that around pretty fast.

"I was having the absolute worst day of my life," said the 49-year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous. "I was stressed from work and it seemed like everything that could go wrong was going wrong.

"I stopped to buy a soda and had a winning $10 ticket to turn in. I put another $10 with it and told the clerk to pick out a $20 ticket for me."

As it turned out, that $20 ticket purchased the Marathon gas station at 12018 Liberty Street in Clio, was worth $2 million.

 "I scratched the ticket in the store and I was in shock when I saw I had won $2 million," said the player. "I waited for everyone to leave the store and went back to the clerk and asked her to scan my ticket. She looked it over and hit the floor when she saw I won $2 million."

The player visited Lottery headquarters Tuesday, March 28 to claim the big prize. He chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $1.3 million rather than an annuity. With his winnings, he plans to buy a new truck and then invest what's left.

"Winning the Lottery feels great. My wife and I have always found a way to make ends meet, but it hasn't always been easy, so winning is a huge relief," the winner said.

Players have won more than $59.4 million playing $2,000,000 Bonus, which launched in May 2016. Each $20 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $20 up to $2 million.

More than $9.3 million in prizes remain, including one $2 million top prize, nine $5,000 prizes, and 55 $1,000 prizes.

Lottery instant games may be purchased at 11,000 retailers across the state. In 2016, Lottery players won nearly $817 million playing instant games.

News story photo(Click to display full-size in gallery)

Mlive, Lottery Post Staff

Comments

mypiemaster's avatarmypiemaster

I bet he forgot that he was having a bad day, really fast. Congrats. When it is your turn to win, nothing can stop you. Thumbs Up

haymaker's avatarhaymaker

This is a sitituation where you need to take care of the clerk.

How much ? you have to figure that yourself.

MaximumMillions

Quote: Originally posted by haymaker on Mar 29, 2017

This is a sitituation where you need to take care of the clerk.

How much ? you have to figure that yourself.

0.

s5thomps's avatars5thomps

Quote: Originally posted by MaximumMillions on Mar 29, 2017

0.

ABSOLUTELY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE CLERK!!! I have a feeling that he will do what's right by her. (Remember it was the clerk that picked out the ticket) It's definitely something that I would do if it was me. No telling what ticket he would have chose if he picked one out on his own. Anyway Congrats you never know when or where luck will happen, all you can do is be prepared when it does!

music*'s avatarmusic*

Quote: Originally posted by s5thomps on Mar 29, 2017

ABSOLUTELY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE CLERK!!! I have a feeling that he will do what's right by her. (Remember it was the clerk that picked out the ticket) It's definitely something that I would do if it was me. No telling what ticket he would have chose if he picked one out on his own. Anyway Congrats you never know when or where luck will happen, all you can do is be prepared when it does!

I Agree! A generous tip is due here. How would you feel if you were the clerk? Standing on your feet all day and dealing with the public. A $1,000.00 sounds about right to me. Contribute to the clerk's retirement fund.

Tatototman65's avatarTatototman65

Congrats!!!

Smile

LiveInGreenBay's avatarLiveInGreenBay

Quote: Originally posted by music* on Mar 29, 2017

I Agree! A generous tip is due here. How would you feel if you were the clerk? Standing on your feet all day and dealing with the public. A $1,000.00 sounds about right to me. Contribute to the clerk's retirement fund.

The clerk picked the winning ticket.  I'd say 10 grand would be more appropriate.

Numb3rs1

Quote: Originally posted by LiveInGreenBay on Mar 29, 2017

The clerk picked the winning ticket.  I'd say 10 grand would be more appropriate.

This is probably how much I would give. $10k isn't even 1% of the after-tax prize. But hey, I tip on anything that hits $100 or more.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by s5thomps on Mar 29, 2017

ABSOLUTELY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE CLERK!!! I have a feeling that he will do what's right by her. (Remember it was the clerk that picked out the ticket) It's definitely something that I would do if it was me. No telling what ticket he would have chose if he picked one out on his own. Anyway Congrats you never know when or where luck will happen, all you can do is be prepared when it does!

" Remember it was the clerk who picked out the ticket" You have a point.

However he handed her the money to accomplish the feat.It was not free money.She simply complied with his request. If he asked her to pick out a ticket that turned out to be a losing one..what then? He is under NO obligation to reward her for doing her job.She just happened to pick the winning one.

JAMORA's avatarJAMORA

Quote: Originally posted by LiveInGreenBay on Mar 29, 2017

The clerk picked the winning ticket.  I'd say 10 grand would be more appropriate.

The maximum allowed by law to avoid the gift tax...is it still $14K?

MaximumMillions

Quote: Originally posted by s5thomps on Mar 29, 2017

ABSOLUTELY SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THE CLERK!!! I have a feeling that he will do what's right by her. (Remember it was the clerk that picked out the ticket) It's definitely something that I would do if it was me. No telling what ticket he would have chose if he picked one out on his own. Anyway Congrats you never know when or where luck will happen, all you can do is be prepared when it does!

If you win the Powerball remember to tip Sam Arlen 10%.

noise-gate

Quote: Originally posted by MaximumMillions on Mar 30, 2017

If you win the Powerball remember to tip Sam Arlen 10%.

LOL...No words.

MaximumMillions

Quote: Originally posted by noise-gate on Mar 30, 2017

LOL...No words.

20% then, I forgot that's the standard.Wink

Bleudog101

Quote: Originally posted by JAMORA on Mar 30, 2017

The maximum allowed by law to avoid the gift tax...is it still $14K?

If not mistaken believe it goes up $1K/year.  Too bad orangeman wouldn't sign an Executive Order and get rid of the gift tax altogether.  Give what you want and to heck with the IRS.  He did sign one against the IRS fining people for not having healthcare.  Sign an executive order and get rid of that 1961 wire law while he's at it.

End of comments
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