“Someone Else Didn’t Want It”
According to the Michigan Lottery, the store clerk explained that a previous customer had asked for the ticket but changed their mind at the last second. The clerk put it to the side, and the next person in line noticed it.
That second customer, who preferred not to be named, said he felt a small nudge of curiosity and decided to take the discarded ticket home.
Turns Out, That Nudge Was Worth Seven Figures
Once home, he scratched the ticket and realized he had won the game’s $1 million top prize. In a statement, he said:
“I couldn’t believe my eyes. I screamed for my wife. We both just stood there stunned.”
What He Plans to Do With the Money
The Michigan Lottery reports that the winner chose the lump-sum option. He told officials he plans to use the money to pay off some debts, help family, and put the rest into savings.
As for the original customer who passed on the ticket, we may never know, but this story will likely haunt every scratch-off player who’s ever said, “Eh… not that one.”