Stay hit the jackpot in the Lucky For Life game, securing $25,000 a year for life after matching all five white balls on a ticket he bought at Sagebrush Cantina on North Fenton Road. Instead of sharing the news right away, he chose to keep it quiet — at least until his winnings were officially in hand.
“I’ve been keeping my big win a secret from my kids,” Stayt said in a statement from Michigan Lottery officials. “Now that I have my check, I plan to surprise them with the money!”
Stayt said he typically plays Club Keno, but this time opted for a Lucky For Life ticket — a decision that paid off in a big way. After checking the numbers online around midnight, he was stunned to see he’d won the top prize.
Rather than take the annual payments, Stayt chose a one-time lump sum of $390,000. He said the money will allow him to “live easy and not have to worry about things.” He also plans to share some of the windfall with family and friends and invest the rest.
“This is a life-changing amount of money,” he added.
Lucky For Life offers players a chance to win either $1,000 a day or $25,000 a year for life. To win the top prize, a player must match all five white balls plus the Lucky Ball. Matching just the five white balls — like Stayt did — earns the $25,000-a-year prize.
