A Wayne County man had a sleepless night after winning $300,000 playing the Michigan Lottery’s Monopoly Millionaires’ Club instant game.
The player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought his winning ticket at the Rich Oil gas station, located at 29140 North Gibraltar Road in Gibraltar.
“I bought the ticket Sunday night and drove to a local pizza place to grab dinner,” said the player. “I scratched the ticket while I was sitting in my car waiting for my pizzas to get done.
“At first, I thought someone was playing a joke on me with one of those prank Lottery tickets you can buy. I was just in complete shock when I realized I had won $300,000!”
Sunday night the player kept the winning ticket very close for safe keeping.
“That night, I didn’t let the ticket out of my sight,” said the player. “I even slept with it, although I didn’t get much sleep.”
The 26 year-old player visited Lottery headquarters in Lansing on Monday to claim his big prize. With his winnings, the player plans to pay off his student loans and help some family members. He also plans to reward the clerk who sold him the winning ticket.
“I took the ticket up to the gas station where I bought it to scan it and make sure it was a real winner,” said the player. “I gave the clerk who sold it to me a hug and told her I’d be back to share some of my winnings with her.
“Winning the Lottery is just unbelievable, I feel like I’m dreaming. I never thought in a million years I’d have this much money!”
Players have won more than $5.2 million playing the Monopoly Millionaires’ Club instant game, which launched in May. Each $5 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $300,000. More than $7.9 million in prizes remain, including one $300,000 prize, and seven $1,000 prizes.
The Monopoly Millionaires’ Club game also features a second chance drawing that gives lucky players a chance to win a five-day, four-night trip for two to Las Vegas and an opportunity to compete for $1 million on a nationally syndicated game show. More than $2.5 million in prize money is up for grabs in each hour-long show.
The next Monopoly Millionaires’ Club second chance drawing will take place on Sept. 15. To be eligible for that drawing, entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. on Sept. 13. To earn entries into the second chance drawing, players collect Monopoly Property Sets and enter them online at http://www.playmmc.com.
Lottery instant games may be purchased at 11,000 retailers across the state.
