Beginner's Luck: Metro Detroit Man Wins $500K On 1st Lottery Purchase

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MI — A Livingston County man won $500,000 on his first-ever lottery ticket purchase, according to Michigan Lottery officials.

The 21-year-old man bought the winning Wild Side scratch-off ticket at the Fast Lane Convenience store, located at 3540 State Street in Saginaw, according to Michigan Lottery officials.

The lucky player told lottery officials he had never played a scratch-off ticket before, but he had watched his mom play them before, so he decided to buy one and give it a shot, according to Michigan Lottery officials.

"I didn’t know how to play the game, so I took the ticket home and had my parents walk me through it. When we revealed the $500,000 prize, we didn’t think it was real," the lucky player told lottery officials. "We went to the Lottery office in Saginaw to have them look at the ticket. When they confirmed it really was a $500,000 winner, we were in disbelief. I knew right then that this money was about to change my life. What makes it even more exciting is that today is my 21st birthday!"

With his winnings, he plans to study abroad, pay for his tuition, and then save the remainder, according to Michigan Lottery officials.