LANSING — An Emmet County man had to pinch himself to make sure he wasn’t dreaming after winning $1 million playing the Michigan Lottery’s Diamond Wild Time instant game.
“I have been playing this game since it came out because I have had pretty good luck with it,” said the 42-year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous. “I stopped to get an energy drink and saw they had the Diamond Wild Time game, so I purchased one ticket.
“When I scratched the ticket and saw I won $1 million, I had to pinch myself because I thought I was dreaming! I drove straight to my sister’s house to show her, and she thought it was one of those prank lottery tickets. She scanned it on her Michigan Lottery app, and that’s when we knew I really did just win $1 million. Winning such a big prize is shocking, overwhelming, and everything in between.”
“Winning $1 million would be a dream come true for anyone, and it’s especially exciting for this player who won on the game he’s been playing for nearly two years,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “Players have cashed in on the Diamond Wild Time game winning more than $77 million in prizes since the game launched in July 2023.”
The player bought his winning ticket at Tom and Dick’s Inc., located at 921 Emmet Street in Petoskey. He recently visited Lottery headquarters to claim the big prize. He chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $634,000, rather than annuity payments for the full amount. With his winnings, he plans to buy a car and invest.
Players have won more than $77 million playing Diamond Wild Time, which launched in July 2023. Each $20 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $20 up to $1 million. More than $30 million in prizes remain, including 15 $10,000 prizes and 288 $1,000 prizes.
In 2024, Lottery players won nearly $1.8 billion playing instant games.
Lottery instant games may be purchased at retailers across the state.