A happy Cheboygan County man has claimed a $3.5 million Lotto 47 jackpot he won in January.

The player, who chose to remain anonymous, matched the numbers drawn – 04-06-16-26-33-36 – in the Jan. 17 Lotto 47 drawing to win his big prize. He bought the winning ticket at the Pellston General Store, located at 45 North U.S. 31 in Pellston.

“It took me 30 years, but I finally won the jackpot,” said the player. “I enjoy playing several Lottery games and am so happy to finally be a big winner.”

At first, he wasn’t certain he was the lucky winner. It took several stops at stores around northern Michigan before he realized he had won the big prize.

“I checked my ticket at a self-scanner and it said to see the clerk,” said the player. “I thought there could be a problem with the ticket or scanner, so I tucked it away and checked it a few more times, but the same thing kept happening.

“I finally asked a clerk for a printout of the winning numbers and went to my car to go over my ticket. When I got to line ‘D’ and saw I matched all six numbers I didn’t know what to think.”

The player then headed home with his lucky ticket and good news.

“I was excited, but also really nervous,” said the player. “When you have a piece of paper worth that much money, you really start to wonder about what could happen. I don’t think I slept at all for two days.”

The player stored his lucky ticket in his Bible while researching his financial options before coming to claim his jackpot on Friday at Lottery headquarters in Lansing. He chose to take his prize as a one-time lump sum cash payment of more than $2.2 million, rather than as an annuity.

“Our family plans to keep life normal, and thank God for this blessing every day,” the player said.

Each Lotto 47 play is only $1. Players select six numbers from one to 47 for a chance to win a jackpot starting at $1 million and that grows until someone wins it. For an additional $1 per game, players may add EZMatch to their ticket for a chance to win up to $500 instantly. Lotto 47 drawings take place on Wednesday and Saturday at 7:29 p.m. Tickets may be purchased until 7:08 p.m. on the day of the drawing.