A Dexter man walked around with a $1 million winning Mega Millions ticket in his wallet for months before realizing he’d won.
Edward Anderson, 50, matched the five white balls drawn – 06-13-21-49-50 – in the June 21, 2016 Mega Millions drawing to win a $1 million prize. He bought his winning ticket at the 7-Eleven, located at 18210 Allen Road in Melvindale.
“I don’t play the Lottery often, I usually wait until the jackpot gets pretty big,” said Anderson. “When I do buy tickets, I wait and check them after I’ve got several to check.”
In fact, Anderson waited eight months before checking his ticket and realizing he was a big winner.
“I was at work and saw the ticket in my wallet,” said Anderson. “I checked the ticket and almost had a heart attack because I thought tickets expired after six months.”
Luckily for Anderson, Michigan Lottery draw game tickets are valid for one year from the date of the drawing.
Anderson visited Lottery headquarters Tuesday to claim his prize. He plans to save his newfound wealth for a rainy day.
Mega Millions drawings take place each Tuesday and Friday evening. Each Mega Millions play is only $1. For an additional $1 per play, players have the opportunity to add a “Megaplier” that can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to five times.
Tickets for Mega Millions drawings may be purchased at the Lottery’s 11,000 retailers around the state and online at MichiganLottery.com until 10:45 p.m. the day of the drawing.
