Ramesh Singh

Ramesh Singh, a clerk at Singh's Party Store, poses for a portrait with a lottery ticket in the store in Thomas Township, on Monday, Jan. 5, 2015. A man, who wished to remain anonymous, purchased a similar ticket in December and won $500,000. The man, a regular customer at the store, won $1,000 the week before, Singh said.

(David C Bristow | MLive.com)

An anonymous Saginaw Township man won $500,000 with this holiday lottery ticket.

THOMAS TOWNSHIP, MI — A Saginaw Township man is a few hundred thousand dollars richer after winning the top prize on a holiday lottery scratch-off ticket.

The winner, who spoke with The Saginaw News on condition he not be identified by name, said he was shocked when he discovered he had won the big prize.

"I thought it was just $50,000, but (the store manager) said it was a half of a million," he said Monday, Jan. 5.

Of the $500,000, he said his check, after taxes, was for about $355,000.

Ramesh Singh, manager of Singh's Party Store, located at 7877 Gratiot in Thomas Township, sold the winning ticket and watched as the winner reacted.

"He shouted my whole name for about five minutes," Singh said. "He was shaking so bad."

The winner said he believes the win is a blessing and a message.

"My girlfriend passed away Nov. 11 and a month and a few days to the day I won this," he said. "I'd give the ticket if I could keep her."

Under Michigan law, those who win jackpots of $10,000 or more are allowed anonymity. The only exceptions to the law are Powerball and Mega Millions winners.

Other than buying a brand new truck and looking for a house, the man said nothing else will change.

"I'm going to keep my job," he said. "The next following Monday I was there."

The $10 Winner Green game is one of four holiday-themed instant games launched by the Lottery last year, and features prizes ranging from $10 to $500,000. One $500,000 top prize, and 16, $1,000 prizes remain in the popular game, according to lottery officials.

For more information on Poker Lotto and the Michigan Lottery, visit michiganlottery.com.

Bob Johnson is a public safety reporter for MLive/The Saginaw News. Contact him at 989-395-3295, by email at

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