A Michigan couple’s wedding anniversary took an unexpected turn when a scratch-off lottery ticket they purchased to mark the occasion made them millionaires. The couple, who chose to remain anonymous, bought a \$20 Diamonds and Gold ticket at a Mobil gas station. Instead of the traditional gold or diamond anniversary gift given after decades of marriage, their spontaneous purchase brought them a \$2 million prize.
The 44-year-old wife told the Michigan Lottery that she and her husband often enjoy playing scratch-off games, with the Diamonds and Gold ticket being one of their favorites. The ticket, which offers several ways to win, has overall odds of about 1 in 3.64. The couple scratched the ticket together on their anniversary. The husband spotted the winning prize first but was so surprised that he doubted it was real. They quickly took the ticket back to the store to scan it.
The store’s scanner instructed them to claim the prize at a lottery office. To be sure, they also asked a friend to check the ticket using a lottery app. The app confirmed their win. The wife said she was overwhelmed with excitement and could hardly believe it. She described the moment as the best surprise they could have received on their anniversary.
The couple chose to take a one-time lump sum of \$1.3 million instead of receiving the full \$2 million through annuity payments over time. They said they plan to use the money to buy a house, invest, and save for their children’s college education.
Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli congratulated the winners and noted how the prize would help secure their children’s future. According to the Michigan Lottery, one \$2 million prize remains in the Diamonds and Gold game.
