ESCANABA, Mich. — A South Carolina man who works in Michigan is looking to grow his savings account after taking home a massive prize from the Michigan Lottery.
Michael Buckner, 58, who works in Escanaba, bought his winning Mega Multiplier ticket at the Mobil gas station in Gladstone.
He said he was in shock after seeing what he'd won.
“I was trying to decide between going to the casino or buying instant tickets and ended up deciding to buy instant tickets," Buckner said. "When I scratched off the $2,000,000 Mega Multiplier game and saw I won $2 million, I didn’t think it was real. I called my girlfriend to tell her what I won, but she didn’t believe it either. It still hasn’t fully sunk in!”
Buckner recently visited the Michigan Lottery headquarters to claim his prize. He chose to receive it in one lump sum payment of $1.3 million. He plans to use his winnings to pay bills, share with his family and put the rest in his savings.
“Michael made a winning decision when he spent $20 to buy a $2,000,000 Mega Multiplier instant game ticket,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “Instant games are a popular choice with players throughout Michigan and helped the Lottery post a contribution of more than $1 billion to the School Aid Fund in the 2024 fiscal year for the sixth consecutive year.”
The $2,000,000 Mega Multiplier instant game was launched in September. Tickets cost $20 each and players can win prizes ranging from $20 to $2 million. The Michigan Lottery said there are still two top prizes that can be won.
