A Port Huron man was in shock when he found out he had won $25,000 a year for life playing the Michigan Lottery’s Lucky For Life game.
Brian Karnasiewicz, 44, matched the five white balls drawn May 14 – 05-10-28-45-48 – to win the big prize. He bought his winning ticket at Spirits Shoppe, located at 3550 Gratiot Avenue in Port Huron.
“I purchased a Lucky For Life ticket the day of the drawing and checked the winning numbers later that night after the drawing,” said Karnasiewicz. “I started checking off numbers one by one and was excited when I had four numbers for a $200 prize. When I checked off the fifth number to win $25,000 a year for life, I was in shock! I kept looking at the winning numbers and my ticket to make sure I was reading it right.”
Karnasiewicz visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim his prize. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $390,000 rather than annuity payments of $25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater. With his winnings, he plans to purchase a home and invest.
“I have been eager to cash my ticket, but I held onto it for awhile so that I could properly plan for the money,” said Karnasiewicz.
For just $2 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 $1,000 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 $25,000 a year for life. Drawings take place at 10:38 p.m. seven days-a-week. Tickets may be purchased at Lottery retailers across the state and online at MichiganLottery.com.
