LANSING, June 14, 2000 – A Shelby Township man said he had to look at his Michigan Lotto ticket 10 times before believing he was the sole winning ticket holder in the June 10 Michigan Lotto drawing! The self-described, "over 70-year-old" winner visited Lottery headquarters this week to claim his $1,299,052 prize. The announced jackpot for the June 10 Lotto drawing was $2.5 million, but the winner chose to receive his winnings in one lump-sum payment for $1,299,052, the present cash value of the jackpot before taxes.

The lucky man, who requested anonymity, purchased his winning Michigan Lotto "easy-pick" ticket at Stoney Creek Party Store, 57889 Van Dyke Road, in Washington. He bought a $5 five-wager ticket, which automatically produced a sixth free "Smartplay" wager on his ticket. It was that free "Smartplay" wager that correctly matched all six numbers – 5, 11, 12, 22, 27 and 36 – in the June 10 drawing!

"I saw the winning numbers in Monday’s Detroit News," said the winner. "My wife wasn’t at home when I checked the numbers, so I had to wait for what seemed like days for her to get home to tell her the good news. I told her as soon as she walked in the door and she didn’t believe me! We were both so surprised to have won. We are very happy!"

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, the lucky man said he kept it in a safe deposit box.

The Shelby Township man said he enjoys spending a lot of time with his wife since he is "semi-retired." They are both very active in a wide variety of fun-filled activities, including snow skiing, golfing, cross-country skiing, swimming, snorkeling, playing soccer, dancing, spending time with their grandchildren and they "love to travel!"

When asked what he planned to do with his winnings, the winner simply said, "Spend it!" He added that he and his wife will likely purchase a time-share condominium in a warm climate so they can stay there in the winter months.

The winner said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 27 years and he encourages other Lottery hopefuls to "keep on playing."

"You have to keep buying tickets," he said. "Anyone can win, but you can’t win if you don’t play!"

Michigan Lotto drawings are conducted every Wednesday and Saturday at 7:28 p.m. The next Lotto drawing will take place tonight (Wednesday), June 14 with a guaranteed jackpot of $2 million.