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From pizza night to millionaire

One Michigan woman's routine change leads to a lucky scratch-off ticket.

Michigan Lottery logo, and the winning $2,000 Large scratch-off ticket on a golden background.
Winning Michigan Lottery $2,000 Large scratch-off ticket. Photograph credit to the Michigan Lottery.
Samantha Herscher

Imagine going for pizza and returning home a millionaire! That's exactly what happened to a Macomb County woman thanks to the Michigan Lottery's $2,000 Large instant game.

Unexpected windfall

The lucky player, who prefers to remain anonymous, deviated from her usual routine and decided to buy a scratch-off ticket while picking up pizza. The $20 ticket turned out to be a life-changer, revealing a $2 million prize.

The player told the Michigan Lottery:

My husband is usually the one who buys scratch-off tickets, but I decided to stop and buy one on my way to pick up pizza. While I was waiting for my pizza, I sat in my car and scratched the ticket. It was surreal when I realized I'd won $2 million.

The winner's excitement was palpable. She immediately called her husband to share the incredible news. Claiming the prize as a lump sum of $1.3 million, she plans to use the money to pay bills and indulge in a well-deserved vacation.

$2,000 Large: Big wins, big fun

Launched in May 2023, the $2,000 Large game has already paid out over $45 million in prizes. Each ticket offers a chance to win anywhere from $20 to the life-altering $2 million jackpot. There are still two top prizes and over 1,800 $2,000 prizes waiting to be claimed!

Playing the $2,000 Large is simple. Just match any of your numbers to the winning numbers on the ticket. Reveal a $2,000 bill symbol, and you're an instant winner! Plus, there's a bonus section where you can uncover cash prizes ranging from $50 to $500.

Lottery dollars at work

The Michigan Lottery is committed to giving back, and its mission to contribute to the well-being of Michigan by maximizing profits to support the state's education system and by operating with complete transparency and integrity.

Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has been a significant source of funding for public schools. Every year, proceeds from ticket sales go directly to the School Aid Fund, a vital resource that helps finance K-12 education across the state. In fact, the Lottery has contributed over $28 billion to education since its launch. This translates to real benefits for students, teachers, and classrooms.

The Michigan Lottery also recognizes the incredible work of Michigan's public school educators through their Excellence in Education awards program. Every week, a deserving educator receives a $2,000 cash prize, a plaque, and media recognition. At the end of the year, one weekly winner is chosen as Educator of the Year and takes home a $10,000 prize.

The next time you're at a Michigan Lottery retailer, consider buying a $2,000 Large ticket. You might just become a millionaire, and even if you don't, you'll be supporting a great cause!

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