$2,000,000 CA$H winner, Denise Skonieczny.

A Grand Rapids woman became the first player to win a $2 million top prize in the Michigan Lottery’s $2,000,000 CA$H instant game.

Denise Skonieczny elected to take her big prize as a one-time lump sum payment of more than $1.2 million. After taxes, she took home a check for about $897,000. She bought her winning ticket at the Meijer gas station located at 3757 Plainfield Road Northeast in Grand Rapids.

Skonieczny has had a run of good luck lately when it comes to Lottery games. She recently won a pair of prizes for $1,500 playing her favorite game, Club Keno.

“Even though Club Keno is my favorite game, I’ve been playing the $2,000,000 CA$H instant game pretty regularly, too,” Skonieczny said. “I’ve won $200 a few times on the ticket and that is why I decided to buy one when I stopped at the Meijer gas station.”

While on a break from her job on Tuesday, Skonieczny made a quick stop at the Meijer gas station. When she realized she had exactly $30 in her pocket, she decided to buy the $2,000,000 CA$H ticket that turned out to be a big winner.

“I scratched the ticket when I got back to my car and was shocked when I realized it was a $2 million winner,” she said. “I was so nervous because I had to go back to work and leave the ticket in my car. I didn’t really believe that I had won until I called the Lottery office and had the ticket verified.”

With her winnings, Skonieczny plans to take a trip to Disney World, purchase a new car and home.

After Skonieczny’s big win, two $2 million prizes remain on the Lottery’s $2,000,000 CA$H game. The popular $30 instant game gives players a chance to win prizes ranging from $30 to $2 million. Tickets may be bought at the Lottery’s 11,000 retailers.