Taking a chance on a new game paid off for a St. Joseph County man who won $500,000 in the Michigan Lottery’s Winter Ice instant game.
The happy player, who preferred to remain anonymous, purchased his winning ticket at Jit Food and Gas, located at 130 North Washington Street in Constantine. Constantine is approximately 35 miles south of Kalamazoo.
“My son and I stopped at the gas station, and I bought each of us a $5 ticket,” explained the 77-year-old player. “When we scratched them, I got a $10 winner, so I walked back in and bought two more.
“My son likes the Wild Time game, so I purchased him one, and I got myself a new $500,000 Winter Ice ticket when the clerk indicated others were doing well on it. When we scratched out the tickets, I asked my son, “What would you say if I told you I won $500,000?” He responded, ‘That you’re full of it!’ That’s when I gave him the ticket, and we both started shouting!”
The lucky player recently went to Lottery headquarters to claim his large win. He plans to use his profits to buy a new home.