The 43-year-old supervisor from Detroit knew he had a winner when he scratched off matching numbers on his “Hit the Jackpot” $10 instant ticket. But the drama started when he began scratching the prize amount. First one zero, had he won $50? Then another zero, maybe $500? The player grew more excited with every zero he uncovered, but could hardly believe it when the prize turned out to be $500,000!

He thought he was dreaming, so he woke up his wife to get another opinion. She thought it was a winner too. The player then called his Father (at 5 a.m.) and asked if he could come over and show him something. Dad agreed and before long a third person was looking at the winning ticket.

The player, eager to claim his prize, got to the Lottery office more than an hour early for his winner appointment. His plans for the money include paying off his mortgage and becoming debt free. The winner also intends to take a vacation with his wife. When asked where they were going, they replied “everywhere!”

The winning ticket was sold at Alhalemi Gas & Mart Inc. located at 21746 Schoolcraft in Detroit.

Over 95 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and commissions to retailers. In fiscal year 2011, the contribution to schools was over $727.3 million. Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has contributed over $16 billion to education in Michigan.

For information on all Lottery games, please visit the Lottery’s Web site at www.michiganlottery.com.

“The Michigan Lottery. All across the state good things happen.”

Contact:  Andi Brancato, PR Director  517-335-5648
Agency:  Michigan Lottery Public Relations