Michigan woman is first grand prize winner of state’s Halloween instant game

A Michigan woman is planning a fresh start for her family after winning $500,000 in the state’s instant game.

The 41-year-old woman purchased her winning ticket for the Michigan Lottery’s Halloween “Ghostbusters” instant game for $5 at the Special Way Food Store at 378 West Huron Street in Pontiac. She chose to remain anonymous.

“I don’t play instant tickets often, but when I was at the store, I saw the Ghostbusters ticket and thought, ‘Why not?'” the woman told the Michigan Lottery. “When I scratched the ticket and saw that I had won $500,000, I read the instructions over and over and looked at the ticket for at least an hour.”

After winning, the 41-year-old drove to the local lottery office to verify her ticket because she could hardly believe her luck. The lottery clerk scanned her ticket and confirmed her win, telling her that she had to take the ticket to the lottery headquarters in Lansing.

The woman made the trip and claimed her prize. She plans to use the money to help her family pay bills and build up her savings.

“Winning this prize is the beginning of a new beginning for me and my family,” the player told lottery officials.

The Michigan Lottery announced that instant play players won over $1.7 billion in 2022.

Other winners: North Carolina woman turns her luck to win $100,000 lottery on Friday the 13th

What is the Ghostbusters Instant Play?

Ghostbusters, a game introduced by the Michigan Lottery in September, has already awarded players more than $4 million in winnings.

The game features a $5 ticket and gives players the chance to win prizes ranging from $5 to $500,000.

What are the chances of winning at Ghostbusters?

The odds of winning any prize in Ghostbusters are 1 in 4.04.

There are over $26 million worth of prizes still up for grabs, including two $500,000 grand prizes, five $10,000 prizes and 26 $2,500 prizes.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Lottery tickets can also be sold in some airport terminals.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington DC and West Virginia. With the Jackpocket app, you can select your lottery game and numbers, place your order, view your ticket and claim your winnings – all from your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery messenger of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue by referring viewers to Jackpocket services. Minimum age: 18, in Arizona: 21, in Northeast: 19. Not affiliated with any state lottery. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-877-8-HOPE-NY to HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). See jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Michigan woman wins $500,000 on Ghostbusters scratch-off ticket