LANSING, March 12, 2002 – A lucky Lake Orion woman became the Michigan Lottery’s newest instant millionaire after scratching off a Michigan Lottery "Casino Riches" instant ticket to reveal a $1,000,000 top prize.

The winning ticket was purchased at Happy Hour Party Shoppe, 3359 Auburn Road, in Auburn Hills.

The lucky 34-year-old lady, who requested anonymity, was in the parking lot of her daughters’ dance school when she scratched off the ticket.

"I always scratch the prize portion of the ticket off last," the winner said. "After I scratched all the games, I noticed there was one line on which I had won something. When I scratched off the prize area for that line and saw that it said I had won $1,000,000, I thought I had scratched off the wrong line!"

The winner said she was in total disbelief after seeing the $1,000,000 prize on the ticket.

"I couldn’t believe it, so I had my 16-year-old daughter double check the ticket; then I had my stepfather check the ticket; and finally I took it to the party store where I purchased it and the cashier affirmed that I had won the top prize!"

The winner kept the winning ticket in a safe place in her home at all times before claiming her prize at Lottery headquarters in Lansing.

"I was in the parking lot waiting for my daughters when I discovered I had won, so I was very nervous about keeping the ticket safe," she said. "It was so windy that day I was afraid it would blow away when I got out of my vehicle. As soon as I could, I stored it safely in my home until I could claim my prize!"

The winner, who enjoys traveling and spending time with her family at every opportunity, said she plans to use her winnings to start college funds for both of her daughters. There is no doubt the winner and her family will enjoy their windfall!

The lucky lady encourages other Lottery players to keep playing so they can win big one day too! She offered the following words of encouragement to other Lottery hopefuls: "You can’t win if you don’t play, so keep playing!"

"Casino Riches" is just one of many Michigan Lottery instant games available at more than 9,000 Lottery retailers statewide.

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