County man wins $1 million playing Michigan Lottery’s Cashword

A lucky mistake led to a big payday and a treasure hunt for a Van Buren County man who won $1 million playing the Michigan Lottery’s Major Cashword instant game.
“I play Cashword tickets occasionally, but purchasing this ticket was a total fluke,” said the lucky player, who chose to remain anonymous. “I asked the cashier for a different game, and she mistakenly handed me this Major Cashword ticket instead. When she realized she gave me the wrong ticket, she offered to give me the game I’d asked for, but I told her I would just keep the Major Cashword ticket instead.
“The next morning, I scratched the barcode, and my wife scanned the ticket on her Lottery app. When $1 million came up on the screen, I felt like I couldn’t breathe! I thought it was some sort of prank at first. Once I realized it was real, I put the ticket in a jar and buried it in the yard because I was so paranoid something would happen to it if I kept it in the house!”
“Lottery players find interesting ways to keep their tickets safe after scoring a big win,” said Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli. “Burying the ticket in a Mason Jar is certainly a unique way to hang on to a winning ticket! Congratulations to the lucky winner on his $1 million buried treasure!”
The 45-year-old player bought his winning ticket at the Speedway gas station, 855 South Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw. 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 pay bills, pay off his home, and save for retirement.
According to the Michigan Lottery, players have won more than $65 million playing Major Cashword, which launched in February 2024. Each $10 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $10 up to $1 million. More than $47 million in prizes remain, including two $1 million top prizes and 1,058 $1,000 prizes.
In 2024, Lottery players won nearly $1.8 billion playing instant games.