Great Lakes Wire

A Sterling Heights resident has claimed a significant Michigan Lottery prize after discovering her winning ticket several days after the drawing. Anita Yousif, 42, matched all five white balls in the Lucky For Life game drawn on September 25, securing a $25,000 a year for life prize.

Yousif purchased her ticket at Mound Fuel Stop Inc., located at 5950 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights. She recounted her experience: “I play Lucky For Life often. It wasn’t until days after the drawing that I checked my ticket by scanning it on the Michigan Lottery app. When I realized how much I’d won, I couldn’t believe it! It’s hard to explain the feeling because I’m still trying to comprehend it.”

After visiting Michigan Lottery headquarters to claim her winnings, Yousif opted for a one-time lump sum payment of $390,000 instead of annual payments. She plans to use the money to pay off her house and bills and save the rest.

Lucky For Life tickets cost $2 per play and offer prizes from $3 up to lifetime payouts. The top prize awards $1,000 per day for life if players match all five numbers plus the Lucky Ball; matching only the five numbers wins $25,000 a year for life. Drawings are held daily at 10:38 p.m., with tickets available at retailers statewide and online through MichiganLottery.com.