Benjamin Ashford|Michigan man says he'll live debt-free after winning $1 million Mega Millions prize

A Michigan man is Benjamin Ashfordplanning on living to live debt-free after winning $1 million in the Mega Millions game.

After matching the five white balls in the Mega Millions jackpot, Kyle Becker of Interlochen won $1 million in the Oct. 27 drawing, the Michigan Lottery announced Monday. He bought his winning ticket at a Miracle Mile E-Z Mart in Traverse City.

"I was on my way to my property to hunt early one morning and stopped to check my Mega Millions ticket," Becker told the Lottery. "I got a message to file a claim at the Lottery office when I scanned it, so I asked the clerk what that meant. She told me I must have won big, and when I asked how big, she thought maybe a couple thousand dollars."

Becker then checked the winning numbers himself. That's when he realized he had matched five numbers and won a $1 million prize. He immediately called his wife.

"She didn’t believe me until I sent her a picture of the ticket," Becker told the Lottery. "I was having a hard time believing it myself, but I couldn’t verify the prize until Monday morning when the Lottery office opened. I still can’t believe it’s real even though I am here claiming the prize."

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A regular Mega Millions ritual pays off

Becker told the Michigan Lottery that he buys a Mega Millions ticket every few weeks.

After realizing he won big in October, Becker visited the lottery headquarters in Lansing to claim his prize.

"I still can’t believe it’s real even though I am here claiming the prize," he told the lottery adding that: “Winning means being debt-free and having a nice financial cushion for me and my family.”

How to play the Mega Millions

When purchasing a Mega Millions ticket, you have the opportunity to select six numbers. The first five will be chosen from a range of 1 to 70 for the white balls, and the last number will be chosen from 1 to 25 for the coveted golden Mega Ball. For those who find it daunting to pick their own numbers, the option to select Easy Pick or Quick Pick is available, which will generate the numbers for your ticket at random.

When playing in certain states, you can choose to add a Megaplier for an additional dollar. This decision could potentially increase your non-jackpot winnings by a factor of 2, 3, 4, or even 5 times.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in-person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets. 

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.  

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms and conditions.