A Warren man has a random number generator he found online to thank for a $25,000 a Year for Life prize he won playing Lucky For Life.

Aaron Essenmacher, 50, matched the five white balls drawn Sept. 15 – 02-18-27-41-45 – to win the big prize. He bought his winning ticket at Happy Days Party Store, located at 32855 Schoenherr Road in Warren.

“I’ve been playing Lucky For Life quite a bit lately and I always use the same sets of numbers,” said Essenmacher. “When I purchased my ticket, I played the sets of numbers I typically play and then I decided to add another set of numbers which I got by using a random number generator I found online.

“I was checking the winning numbers online the day after the drawing and when I saw I’d matched five, I couldn’t believe it! What shocked me even more was that the numbers I won on are the ones I got from the random number generator. I kept scanning my ticket on the app over and over again because I couldn’t believe I’d really won!”

Essenmacher visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim his prize. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $390,000 rather than annuity payments of $25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater. With his winnings, he plans to pay bills and take a vacation.

For just $2 per play, Lucky For Life gives Lottery players a chance to win prizes ranging from $3 to a lifetime of cash. To win the game’s top prize of $1,000 a day for life, players must match all five winning numbers ranging from 1 to 48, plus one Lucky Ball ranging from 1 to 18. Players who match all five winning numbers, but not the Lucky Ball, will win $25,000 a year for life. Drawings take place at 10:38 p.m. seven days-a-week. Tickets may be purchased at Lottery retailers across the state and online at MichiganLottery.com.