A Montcalm County man is looking forward to “enjoying life and giving back” after winning a $22.6 million jackpot playing the Michigan Lottery’s Lotto 47 game.
The lucky player, who chose to remain anonymous, matched all six Lotto 47 numbers drawn Feb. 18: 12-17-19-29-36-39. The winning ticket was bought at the Greenville E-Z Mart, located at 115 East Washington Street in Greenville.
“I’ve been playing Lotto 47 for as long as I can remember,” said player. “As part of my Sunday morning routine, I stop at the Greenville E-Z Mart to check my Lotto 47 tickets.
“When I stopped on Feb. 19, everyone in the store was excited because they knew they’d sold the jackpot-winning ticket. The last ticket I scanned was the big winner. I started shaking as soon as I realized I won $22.6 million.
While everyone in the store began to celebrate, the player remained calm.
“I’m a pretty simple guy, and I was so stunned I wasn’t sure what to do,” said the player. “When I got home, I woke my girlfriend up to tell her the good news. At first, she was mad because I was waking her so early, but when I explained why, she went from mad to ecstatic.”
The $22.6 million jackpot is the second-largest Lotto 47 jackpot ever won. The largest Lotto 47 jackpot won was a $23.6 million jackpot, was won by a Macomb County player on March 1, 2008.
The lucky player visited Lottery headquarters Thursday to claim his big prize. He chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $14.3 million, rather than an annuity. With his winnings, the player plans to buy a new home, a new used vehicle, and pay for his wedding.
“As soon as I won, I retired from my job and I’m looking forward to enjoying life more. Every time I’ve bought a Lottery ticket, I’ve thought: ‘Why not me?’ Turns out, I was right,” 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.
