Illinois Man Wins Big in Michigan Lottery Thanks to Gas Station Error
In an extraordinary stroke of luck, Illinois resident Michael Sopejstal turned a gas station employee's error into a windfall, winning $25,000 a year for life in the Michigan Lottery. Sopejstal's routine trip to Michigan, which usually included dining at his favorite restaurant and purchasing a Lucky for Life lottery ticket, took an unexpected and lucrative turn.
On his visit on September 17, an employee at a GoLo gas station mistakenly printed a ticket with 10 lines for a single draw instead of Sopejstal's usual multi-draw ticket. Embracing the error, Sopejstal decided to keep the ticket, a decision that would soon prove to be life-changing.
"I checked my ticket one morning and discovered the incredible news that I had won $25,000 a year for life," Sopejstal shared with Lottery officials. “The realization of what this meant for my future, the possibilities and choices it opened up, was simply overwhelming.”
The 60-year-old recently made the trip to Lottery headquarters to claim his substantial prize. Faced with the option of receiving $25,000 annually for 20 years or life, whichever is longer, or a one-time lump sum payment, Sopejstal chose the latter, walking away with a staggering $390,000.
With his newfound wealth, Sopejstal has plans to indulge in his love of travel and to wisely save the remainder of his winnings. "This prize offers a blend of excitement and security, and I intend to make the most of both," he said.
Lucky for Life, the game that led to Sopejstal's fortune, is played across roughly two dozen states and in Washington, D.C. It offers prizes ranging from $3 to a top prize of $1,000 a day for life. Despite the long odds – Sopejstal's chance of winning his prize on September 17 was 1 in over 1.8 million – his lucky break is a testament to the unpredictability and thrill of the lottery.