A Berrien County man is proof positive that winning the Michigan Lottery can bring a man to tears. Especially when you win half-a-million dollars in the process.
Lottery officials in Lansing say that winning $500,000 playing the Michigan Lottery’s 777 instant game did just that — brought a Berrien County man to tears.
The anonymous player says, “I scratched the ticket off in my kitchen and got a little more excited with each ‘7’ symbol I uncovered,” and adds, “When I counted seven of them, I started crying like a baby and couldn’t stop.”
The 62-year-old player bought his winning ticket at the Benton Harbor Meijer store, located at 1920 Pipestone Road. He then visited Lottery headquarters this morning to claim the big prize. With his winnings, he plans to pay bills and remodel his home.
The man says, “There is such a happiness and joy that comes with winning. I just keep thanking God that I will be debt free.”
Players have won more than $6.5 million playing 777, which launched in March. Each $5 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $500,000. More than $24 million in prizes remain, including two $500,000 top-prizes, 23 $7,777 prizes, and 50 $1,000 prizes.
Lottery instant games may be purchased at 10,500 retailers across the state.
In 2018, Lottery players won more than $1 billion playing instant games.
About 97-cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and commissions to vendors and retailers. In the 2018 fiscal year, the Lottery provided more than $941.3 million for Michigan’s public schools, its fourth record contribution in row. Since it began in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $22-billion to support public education in Michigan. For additional information, follow the Michigan Lottery on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and online at www.michiganlottery.com.
