A MAN who spent $5 on an instant lottery ticket almost became $500,000 richer but had to forfeit a chunk of his prize.
Scratch-off lottery players can find out immediately if they’re winners, but sometimes it’s hard to believe.
A Chippewa County, Michigan resident bought his winning ticket at a Detour EZ Mart gas station.
CASH MULTIPLIER
The regular lotto player remained anonymous and scored the top prize for Michigan Lottery’s $500,000 Cash Multiplier game.
He told lottery officials he’d buy instant tickets daily, typically before clocking in for his work shift.
“The gas station I usually stop at had a new person working, and I said: ‘The new clerk is going to sell me a big winner today!'”
When he scratched off the ticket to reveal a $500,000 prize, he said he counted the zeros a few times to ensure he was reading correctly.
“I was so happy I almost cried!” he said.
But the full $500,000 won’t make it into his wallet.
The Michigan Lottery imposes 4.25% tax deductions on prizes over $5,000.
That means the man’s loot automatically dropped to $478,750, and that’s before federal income tax withholdings kicked in.
The winner was still thrilled. He said he’d use the remaining money to retire, invest, and fix his home.
“Winning hasn’t fully sunk in yet, but it’s such a relief,” he said.
“It’s going to allow me to take care of some things that have been on my list and live comfortably.”
UNCLAIMED TICKETS
The Florida Lottery announced a Fantasy Five ticket worth over $52,000 was purchased on March 11.
Fantasy Five is a draw game and players can try to match five numbers in any order.
The winning numbers were 7, 10, 18, 24, and 35, and the unidentified ticket holder has yet to claim their $52,084.96.
According to lottery officials, the winner bought their ticket at a Publix store in Fort Myers.
Powerball players in Arizona should also check their old tickets.
A ticket worth $50,000 was purchased in September and expires on March 25.
The numbers drawn were 1, 7, 46, 47, 63, and 7 for the Powerball.
Be mindful of the risks associated with lottery games since playing them is a form of gambling.
If you’re struggling with a gambling addiction and seeking help, you can call the National Gambling Hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visit the National Council on Problem Gambling website.
After five months, a $1.7 billion Powerball winner has finally come forward.
Meanwhile, another Michigan Lottery player scooped up a $1 million jackpot, and she didn’t even need to check her ticket.