A 33-year-old Michigan man won £760,000 on a lottery scratchcard that was set aside by another customer at a petrol station, with the winner choosing to remain anonymous
A man’s life changed after buying an unwanted scratchcard (stock image)(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
A petrol station customer who decided at the last minute not to buy a lottery scratchcard ended up making an almighty mistake. That’s because the lucky customer who walked up to the counter shortly afterwards decided to pick up the discarded scratch card and instantly won £760,000.
The 33 year old winner, who has chosen to remain anonymous, explained the ticket was set aside so he thought he’d give it a go.
“I scratched the ticket off and couldn’t believe it when I saw it was a $1million (£760k) winner,” he continued. “I never would have thought I’d win such a large lottery prize, so it’s truly a blessing.”
The fortunate lottery customer from Michigan plans to save his winnings, but admitted that his win does also come with a certain degree of stress.
He continued: “Winning is a great feeling, but it’s also a lot of pressure because your mind starts thinking of all the different things you can do with this amount of money.”
The winning ticket was left abandoned on a petrol station’s counter(Image: Michigan Lottery)
The winner has opted for a one-time lump-sum payment of approximately £530,000 instead of taking his million dollars as an annuity.
The winning ticket was purchased at a Sunoco service station in Detroit, Michigan. “Congratulations to this lucky player on his $1 million win,” said Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli.
“Instant games, like Blazing Suits, help drive sales which increases our contribution to Michigan schools. In Fiscal Year 2025, the Lottery contributed more than $1 billion to the School Aid Fund for the seventh consecutive year.”
Here in the UK, a woman from the West Midlands is celebrating her own remarkable stroke of luck after landing her third major win. Chantelle Riley, from Castle Bromwich in Solihull, scooped a £50,000 share of a People’s Postcode Lottery £1million jackpot.
Chantelle Riley has now banked a total of £65k(Image: People’s Postcode Lottery/Birmingham Live)
The 47-year-old had previously claimed £14,221 and £1,078 in earlier draws. Making it even sweeter, she had recently persuaded her partner to join the lottery – meaning he’s also bagged £50,000.
Now the mum, who works at a special educational needs school, is planning to purchase her rented home where she’s lived for six years and treat her first grandchild, who’s expected next month.
Chantelle said: “I can’t believe it. I’m feeling kind of numb. It’s unreal. “I won £14,000 in the B36 9 postcode, which is literally across the road. And then two years ago I won again at that postcode. And now this is my third win and my biggest. I feel very lucky.”
The ticket had been left behind by another customer(Image: GETTY)
When Chantelle first hit the jackpot in 2014, securing a £14k cheque, she decided to keep playing with that postcode. That choice paid off handsomely when she netted a £1k prize eight years later.
Despite relocating twice since her first windfall, Chantelle has kept entering the Postcode Lottery, purchasing tickets at her current postcode as well as her two previous addresses. She explained: “I’ve moved a few times, and I kept my tickets going at each address. I didn’t want to miss out if any of my postcodes came up.
“Last time I won, my sister said, ‘Well, I’m not going to sign up for Postcode Lottery because you won’t win again round here. ‘ Now I have… and she’s kicking herself.
“Her partner has also become a winner, thanks to Chantelle’s persuasiveness. She explained: “A few months ago, I said to him, ‘You need to start playing because just in case we do win, we’ll both get it!
“Regarding her plans for her winnings, she said: “This house might be getting bought now. The future is looking bright.
I’ve got a granddaughter due on the 10th of December, so she’ll get some nice things for sure. I did spot a nice pair of Prada boots… maybe I’ll treat myself.”
The devoted mum and school worker added: “It’s amazing to win with so many people on my street. I’m so happy for next door as they’ve won as well”.
The People’s Postcode Lottery costs £12.25 a month to play and guarantees winners every day. Players enter with their chosen postcode and are automatically included in all draws.
The £38.2million prize pot must be won in December’s draws and the deadline to sign up is at midnight on November 30.
