Taking a chance on a new game paid off for a St. Joseph County man who won $500,000 playing the Michigan Lottery’s $500,000 Winter Ice instant game.

The lucky player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought his winning ticket at Jit Food and Gas, located at 130 North Washington Street in Constantine. Constantine is about 35 miles south of Kalamazoo.

“My son and I stopped at the gas station, and I bought each of us a $5 ticket,” said the 77-year-old player. “When we scratched them, I had a $10 winner, so I went back in and bought two more.

“My son likes the Wild Time game, so I got him one of those and I got myself a new $500,000 Winter Ice ticket after the clerk said people had been doing pretty well on it. When we scratched the tickets off, I said to my son: ‘What would you say if I told you I’d won $500,000?’ He replied: ‘That you’re full of it!’ That’s when I handed him the ticket and we both started screaming!”

The lucky player visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim his big prize. With his winnings, he plans to buy a new home.

Players have won more than $5.6 million playing $500,000 Winter Ice, which launched in December 2023. Each $5 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $500,000. More than $9 million in prizes remain, including one $500,000 top prize.

In 2022, Lottery players won more than $1.7 billion playing instant games.

Lottery instant games may be purchased at any of the 10,500 retailers across the state.