An Oakland County man has a clerk at a Speedway gas station to thank after winning $500,000 playing the Michigan Lottery’s $500,000 Gold Rush instant game.

The 69-year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought his winning ticket at the Speedway gas station, located at 9601 Highland Road in White Lake.

“I stopped in for a coffee and asked for a different instant game,” said the player. “The clerk told me they didn’t have that ticket, and suggested the $500,000 Gold Rush game. I almost picked a different game, but I decided to go with Gold Rush and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.”

After scratching the ticket off, the player wasn’t sure if he was reading it correctly so he asked his son to take a look at the ticket.

“My eyes aren’t the greatest and I didn’t have my glasses, so I really wasn’t sure if I was seeing everything on the ticket right,” said the player. “I asked my son to take a look and he told me to call my other sons and tell them it was time to leave work for the day and go golfing!”

Winning the big prize came at a great time for the player, who has fallen on some hard times recently and been living with his sons.

The player visited Lottery headquarters today to claim his big prize. With his winnings, he plans to help some family members, invest in his sons’ construction business, and then save the remainder.

“I am looking forward to helping some people better their lives. My family has always done right by people, and I think this is karma catching up with us,” the player said.

Players have won more than $2.6 million playing $500,000 Gold Rush, which launched earlier this month. Each $5 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $500,000. More than $40 million in prizes remain, including three $500,000 top prizes, nine $10,000 prizes, and 19 $1,000 prizes.

Lottery instant games may be purchased at 11,000 retailers across the state.

In 2016, Lottery players won nearly $817 million playing instant games.