LANSING, October 7, 1998 – A Dexter woman, who initially debated over whether she should spend $5 on a Michigan Lottery instant ticket, is now $200,000 richer!

The 61-year-old winner collected the top prize in the Michigan Lottery’s "Lucky Dollars" instant game.  She said she thought she had won $2,000 when she first scratched off the ticket while on a break at work.

"Once I realized I had won I put the ticket in my pocket and went back to work," she said.  "I kept looking at the ticket throughout the rest of my shift, and at one point I realized I had actually won $200,000 – not $2,000!  I could hardly talk or sleep at all for the rest of the night!"

The winner, who requested anonymity, purchased the "Lucky Dollars" ticket at CJ’s Party Store, 4511 N. Territorial Road, in Dexter.  Prior to turning the ticket in at Michigan Lottery headquarters, she said she hid it in her purse and kept it under her bed while she slept.

The Dexter woman, a regular Lottery player for the past 10 years, said she plans to use part of her winnings to pay bills, but doesn’t have specific plans for the rest of the money yet.

For other Lottery hopefuls, the winner offered the following advice: "Don’t give up, and always play your hunch!"

"Lucky Dollars" is just one of the many Michigan Lottery instant tickets available at more than 9,300 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

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