ESCANABA, Mich. – A man from out of state chose to buy lottery tickets instead of going to a Michigan casino, and it really paid off.
Michael Buckner, 58, of South Carolina, said he had to choose between the casino and buying instant tickets.
“I live in South Carolina, but I work in Escanaba,” Buckner said. “I was trying to decide between going to the casino or buying instant tickets and ended up deciding to buy instant tickets.”
It was the right call. Buckner bought a winning ticket at the Gladstone Mobil on Lake Shore Drive in Gladstone, which is about 10 miles northeast of Escanaba.
“When I scratched off the $2,000,000 Mega Multiplier game and saw I won $2 million, I didn’t think it was real," Buckner said. “I called my girlfriend to tell her what I won, but she didn’t believe it, either. It still hasn’t fully sunk in."
Buckner visited Michigan Lottery headquarters and chose to receive his prize as a one-time lump sum of about $1.3 million
“Michael made a winning decision when he spent $20 to buy a $2,000,000 Mega Multiplier instant game ticket,” Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli said.
Buckner said he plans to pay bills, share with his family, and save the rest of the money.