Valerie Williams won a $1 million prize from spinning the wheel for the Michigan Lottery’s Electric Giveaway. Photo courtesy of the Michigan Lottery
A Michigan woman said a phone call that she initially thought was a scam turned out to be an important step along the road to her winning a $1 million lottery prize.
Valerie Williams, 65, of Westland, told Michigan Lottery officials she had been using the lottery app to scan her non-winning tickets, not realizing that by doing so she was earning entries into a second chance giveaway.
“When I saw an incoming call from the Michigan Lottery one day, I was hesitant to answer because I assumed it was a scam, but I ended up answering to see what it was about. I was shocked to find out that I was chosen as a contestant in the $1,000,000 Electric Giveaway,” Williams said.
She was invited to spin the prize wheel Sept. 19 at Comerica Park in Detroit.
“I was nervous and excited as the wheel was spinning and couldn’t believe it when it made one last click and landed on my color. All I kept thinking to myself was: ‘No way!’ It was a great feeling and I’m still in shock,” Williams said.
The spin earned her the $1 million prize.
“Congratulations to $1,000,000 Electric Family giveaway winner, Valerie Williams, on her big win in front of a huge crowd at Comerica Park,” Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli said. “More great second chance opportunities are coming giving players the chance to win life-changing prizes!”
Williams said she will save her prize money for the moment.
“I haven’t made any big plans with the money yet because I’m still trying to get things figured out,” Williams said. “Eventually, me and my husband plan to use some of the winnings to go on vacation.”
