LANSING, November 23, 1998 – Ian Cowen of Flint now knows what it is like to become instantly rich after winning $100,000 in the Michigan Lottery’s "$1,000,000 Gift" instant game.

The 23-year-old winner said he has been playing the Lottery occasionally for the past five years.  He discovered that he had won just shortly after purchasing the lucky instant ticket.

"I scratched the ticket off in my car just after leaving the party store where I bought it," he said.  "I couldn’t believe I had a winning ticket!  I took it back into the store and had the store owner verify that it really was a winner.  I was extremely excited when I found out that it really was!"

Prior to turning the ticket in at the Michigan Lottery headquarters, Cowen kept the ticket in a safe in his parents’ home for safe keeping.

The salesman for Vector Marketing purchased the winning ticket at Merriman Food Market, 5774 S. Merriman Road, in Wayne.  He said he plans to make investments for his future with his winnings.

"$1,000,000 Gift" is just one of many Michigan Lottery instant tickets available at more than 9,300 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

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