MI Man Wins $6M — State's Lottery's Largest-Ever Instant Jackpot

VANDERBILT, MI — A Cheboygan County man who bought a lottery ticket in Vanderbilt won the largest-ever jackpot offered on an instant game in Michigan, officials said.

The 30-year-old man won $6 million playing the Michigan Lottery’s new $300,000,000 Diamond Riches instant game, lottery officials said in a news release Friday.

“It’s really unreal to be sitting here collecting $6 million,” the player told the Michigan Lottery. “I haven’t stopped shaking since I scratched the ticket off.”

The lucky player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought the ticket at Vanderbilt Downtown EZ Mart on Mill Street. Vanderbilt is about 10 miles north of Gaylord.

“I heard about the new $50 ticket and told my friend I was going to buy one on pay day,” the man said. “I didn’t think I would actually win the top prize, but I still wanted to try it."

He said they stopped at the store on the way to work, and scratched the ticket when he got in his car.

"When I saw I had won the $6 million prize, I started shaking and showed my friend," he said. "We were both freaking out!”

The player recently claimed his prize at lottery headquarters and chose to receive a one-time lump sum payment of about $4.1 million, rather than take 30 yearly payments for the full amount. With his winnings, he plans to take a trip to Disneyland and save the rest.

“Winning is unreal and a big blessing. I never thought I would be a millionaire,” the man said.

Diamond Riches launched in earlier this month. Players have won more than $14 million playing the game.

Tickets are $50 each. Prizes range from $50 up to $6 million.