An Arenac County couple almost threw away a Caesars^® Jackpot instant game ticket that turned out to be a $300,000 winner.

In fact, the winning ticket sat on a counter in their home for several weeks after the husband bought it at the Standish Trading Post, located at 201 North Main Street in Standish.

“I usually stop at the store and tell the owner to choose any $5 or $10 instant game ticket for me and then I’ll buy it,” the husband said, adding he and his wife didn’t think they’d won anything with the ticket, but kept it anyway.

They were ready to toss it in the trash, when the husband decided at the last minute to check it at the Standish Trading Post and see if it might be a winner.  They were shocked to learn the ticket was a $300,000 winner and to realize how close they’d come to throwing it away.

“We had big luck twice with this ticket.  First, when my husband bought it and then when we didn’t throw it away.  We were this close to throwing it away,” the wife said, holding up a thumb and forefinger that were nearly touching.  The wife, 46, claimed the prize and chose to remain anonymous.

The winner said she and her husband plan to use the money to build a new house and perhaps buy some land.

Each $5 casino-themed Caesars^® Jackpot instant game ticket offers players up to 15 chances to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $300,000. The game, which debuted on Feb. 2, 2016, features more than $14 million in total prizes.  Nearly $10 million in prizes, including two $300,000 top prizes, still remain.

The Caesars^® Jackpot game also offers players a second chance opportunity to win one of 10 all-expense paid trips to Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Each trip will include roundtrip airfare and deluxe hotel accommodations for two at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas for five days and four nights, and $1,000 of spending money. To enter the second chance drawing, players should visit MichiganLottery.com/Caesars to enter their non-winning Caesars Jackpot tickets. There is no limit on the number of tickets a player may enter. The deadline to enter the second chance contest is May 23.

Lottery instant game tickets may be purchased at retailers across the state.