A Grosse Ile woman turned a Detroit Pistons game into a millionaire-making night when she won $1 million in the Michigan Lottery’s Millionaire Maker second-chance drawing during last Wednesday's matchup at Little Caesars Arena. She was picked from five finalists to take part in an in-arena prize wheel event, and her color came up for the top prize. She later told reporters she plans to buy new vehicles, remodel her kitchen and save the rest.
Ten Finalists, Two Live Events
The Michigan Lottery selected 10 finalists in a March 31 drawing, then split them into two groups of five for live events at arena games across the state, according to Michigan Lottery Connect. One group appeared at Little Caesars Arena during the Pistons game last Wednesday, while the other took part at Van Andel Arena on April 10. Each finalist who did not win the $1 million grand prize received a $5,000 runner-up payout.
Winner's Reaction And Plans
According to MLive, the winner is 44-year-old Sarah Tawwater of Grosse Ile, who said she was "in disbelief" when she realized she had won. The outlet reported she had just landed in Las Vegas when she was notified she had been chosen to compete and later took home the $1 million prize. Tawwater told the publication she plans to buy new vehicles for herself and her husband, redo her kitchen and save the remaining winnings.
How The Giveaway Worked
The live giveaway used a colored prize wheel: each contestant wore a different colored T-shirt, and the color the wheel landed on determined the grand prize winner, per Michigan Lottery Connect. A State of Michigan directive outlining the Millionaire Maker Second Chance schedule lists the April 8 drawing at Little Caesars Arena. Finalists qualified by scanning non-winning Millionaire Maker instant game tickets with the Michigan Lottery mobile app.
Grand Rapids Event And Claiming Details
MLive reported that the Michigan Lottery had not yet announced who won last Friday's giveaway at Van Andel Arena as of its coverage. Winners of prizes of $100,000 or more must claim in person at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, and the Michigan Lottery’s prize-claim page explains appointment, identification and documentation requirements, see the Michigan Lottery "How Do I Claim Prizes?" page at Michigan Lottery.
Support And Next Steps
The Michigan Gaming Control Board directs people with gambling concerns to the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER for 24/7 support, resources and self-exclusion options, and notes that more information is available on the MGCB responsible-gaming pages. Lottery officials did not immediately provide additional comment beyond what has been published.
