Macomb Co. Woman Wins $1M On Scratch-Off Ticket

SHELBY TOWNSHIP, MI — A Macomb County woman won $1 million on a scratch-off ticket, according to Michigan Lottery officials.

The 79-year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought her winning Smokin’ Hot ticket at the Kroger store, located at 14945 23 Mile Road in Shelby Township.

"I was at Kroger and a worker was stocking the Lottery kiosk with tickets when I walked by, so on my way back by the machine I stopped to buy a few," the woman said.

She said she scratched them when she got home later that day.

"When I scratched off the $1 million prize, I sat there and stared at the ticket for a while and then told my husband that I just won big. When he asked how big, I told him: ‘I think I just won $1 million.’ He didn’t believe me until he looked the ticket over himself," she said. "After that, we surprised our kids by inviting them over and showing them the ticket. Winning is exciting, overwhelming, and everything in between!"

She chose to receive her prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $693,000, rather than annuity payments for the full amount, officials said.

With her winnings, she plans to share with her kids, take a cruise, and pay it forward, officials said.