An overjoyed punter has won USD 390,000 after he used a winning combination from a lucky dip on a random number generator.
Aaron Essenmacher, 50 – from Warren, Macomb County, in the US state of Michigan – won the prize after playing the ‘Lucky For Life’ lotto game, according to the Michigan State Lottery.
He won USD 25,000 (GBP 21,600) a year for life, with the option of choosing an immediate cash payout of USD 390,000 (GBP 337,200). He chose the latter.
The Michigan State Lottery said in a statement on 28th October: “A Warren man has a random number generator he found online to thank for a USD 25,000 a Year for Life prize he won playing Lucky For Life.
“Aaron Essenmacher, 50, matched the five white balls drawn Sept. 15 – 02-18-27-41-45 – to win the big prize. He bought his winning ticket at Happy Days Party Store, located at 32855 Schoenherr Road in Warren.”
Essenmacher is quoted by the Michigan State Lottery as saying: “I’ve been playing Lucky For Life quite a bit lately and I always use the same sets of numbers.
“When I purchased my ticket, I played the sets of numbers I typically play and then I decided to add another set of numbers which I got by using a random number generator I found online.
“I was checking the winning numbers online the day after the drawing and when I saw I’d matched five, I couldn’t believe it!”
The lucky winner added: “What shocked me even more was that the numbers I won on are the ones I got from the random number generator. I kept scanning my ticket on the app over and over again because I couldn’t believe I’d really won!”
The Michigan State Lottery said: “Essenmacher visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim his prize. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of USD 390,000 rather than annuity payments of USD 25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater. With his winnings, he plans to pay bills and take a vacation.”
They also explained: “For just USD 2 [GBP 1.73] per play, Lucky For Life gives Lottery players a chance to win prizes ranging from $3 to a lifetime of cash.
“To win the game’s top prize of USD 1,000 [GBP 864] a day for life, players must match all five winning numbers ranging from 1 to 48, plus one Lucky Ball ranging from 1 to 18. Players who match all five winning numbers, but not the Lucky Ball, will win USD 25,000 a year for life.”
