Store was closed — so lottery player bought ticket elsewhere. It won him the jackpot

A man who always buys his lottery tickets at the same store was forced to change his routine when the retailer was closed for the night.

He tried his luck at a second location, which ended up being a winning decision, Michigan Lottery officials said.

Not only did the 56-year-old man from Genesee County try a new store, but he also bought a ticket to a game he had not played before. He purchased a $20 ticket of the Fortune instant game that offers a top prize of $2 million.

And that $2 million prize is exactly what the lottery player won.

“When I scratched the ticket and saw I’d won $2 million, I couldn’t believe it!” the player, who chose to remain anonymous, told lottery officials. “I have been playing the lottery for a long time, so it feels amazing to win big. Winning this prize is truly life-changing.”

The jackpot ticket is one of three $2 million prizes offered in the Fortune game.

The winner chose a one-time lump sum payment of $1.3 million. He said he plans to use the money to pay off his home and help his family, according to lottery officials.

Genesee County, which includes Flint, is about 75 miles northwest of Detroit.

This story was originally published May 18, 2023 at 11:59 AM with the headline "Store was closed — so lottery player bought ticket elsewhere. It won him the jackpot."