An avid Lottery player from Muskegon won $250,000 on a $5 Sparking Gems instant ticket.

The Muskegon resident did some homework prior to purchasing instant lottery tickets.  A quick visit to the Michigan Lottery's Web site to check the "Remaining Instant Game Prizes" gave this player the information needed to know they were going to purchase $20 in Sparkling Gems.  The Web site showed that the top prize of $250,000 was still out there waiting to be won.  The first three tickets scratched yielded $10 in winnings.  The fourth ticket was indeed the "Sparkling Gem" that this player was seeking!  Winnings are being used to purchase a new car and help put their children through college.

The winning ticket was sold by Norton Shores E-Z Mart located at 3416 Henry Street in Muskegon, Michigan