27-Year-Old Mackinac County Man Wins $2 Million Playing Michigan Lottery’s Two Million Dollar Cashword Instant Game

A Mackinac County man’s ritual of buying a Two Million Dollar Cashword ticket before a road trip led to a huge payday when he won the game’s $2 million top prize!

“Every time I go on a road trip with family or friends, I buy a Two Million Dollar Cashword ticket to scratch on the drive,” said the lucky 27-year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous. “I was in Sault Sainte Marie with a friend, and we were getting ready to head home, so I stopped and got my ticket per usual. As I was getting in the car I said to my friend: ‘Do you think people ever actually win on these?’

“I scratched the ticket during the drive and didn’t realize until I was done scratching how many words I’d uncovered. I counted nine words a few times, so I thought I’d won $10,000 until I found a tenth word a few minutes later. When I realized I’d actually won $2 million, I’ll be honest, I cried like a baby! It still feels like a dream.”

The player bought his winning ticket at the Meijer gas station, located at 1106 West 3 Mile Road in Sault Sainte Marie. 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 $1.3 million rather than annuity payments for the full amount. With his winnings, he plans to take a vacation to Hawaii and invest.

Players have won more than $27 million playing Two Million Dollar Cashword, which launched in January. Each $30 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $30 up to $2 million. More than $65 million in prizes remain, including two $2 million top prizes, 16 $10,000 prizes, and 90 $5,000 prizes.

In 2025, Lottery players won more than $1.7 billion playing instant games.

Lottery instant games may be purchased at retailers across the state.