“I play lottery games a lot, but I actually wasn’t planning on stopping to buy tickets that day,” said the lucky 39-year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous. “I went out with a friend for Cinco de Mayo, and after she suggested we stop to buy tickets, so we did.
“I bought a few tickets and won $30, so I used my winnings to buy two more. I scratched them in the store and ran out to my car crying when I saw I’d won $1 million. It was unreal! I’m still trying to process it.”
The player bought her winning ticket at Liquor Wheel, located at 4117 Clio Road in Flint. She recently visited Lottery headquarters to claim the big prize. She chose to receive her prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $693,000 rather than annuity payments for the full amount. With her winnings, she plans to buy her parents a new house and a car and then save the remainder.
Players have won more than $2 million playing Lucky Stars, which launched this month. Each $5 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $1 million. More than $20 million in prizes remain, including two $1 million top prizes and nine $2,500 prizes.
In 2025, Lottery players won more than $1.7 billion playing instant games.
Lottery instant games may be purchased at retailers across the state.