A lucky break at the lottery counter proved to be a life-changing moment for a 60-year-old Illinois man, Michael Sopejstal. Sopejstal, who lives in Illinois, frequently takes a drive through Indiana over to Michigan to enjoy a meal at his favorite restaurant, and during these trips, he always makes sure to purchase a Lucky for Life ticket for 10 or 20 draws. However, on September 17, something extraordinary happened when the retailer at a GoLo gas station in Michigan accidentally printed a ticket with 10 lines for a single draw.

Unfazed by the mistake, Sopejstal decided to keep the ticket and see what fate had in store for him. Little did he know that this decision would lead to a life-changing moment. It wasn't until one morning when Sopejstal decided to check his ticket that he discovered he had won a staggering $25,000 a year for life. Overwhelmed with joy, Sopejstal immediately started contemplating all the things he could do with his newfound wealth, pondering whether he should take the lump sum or annuity option. He described the feeling as truly amazing.

Recently, Sopejstal made his way to Lottery headquarters to claim his prize. Instead of opting for $25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater, he chose the one-time lump sum payment of $390,000. Sopejstal revealed that he plans to use his prize money to travel and save the rest, ensuring a comfortable and exciting future for himself.

The Lucky for Life game, in which Sopejstal's winning ticket was a part, is played in approximately two dozen states, including Washington, D.C. With prizes ranging from $3 to the top prize of $1,000 a day for life, the game has captured the attention of many hopeful participants. The game's website provides the overall odds of winning for each game, allowing players to gauge their chances of striking it lucky. In Sopejstal's case, his odds of winning five white balls on September 17 were 1 in more than 1.8 million.

This fortunate turn of events was a result of a store clerk's gaffe at the lottery counter. Sopejstal had made his regular visit to his favorite eatery across the Michigan border when he decided to try his luck with the Michigan Lucky For Life Lottery. It was during this visit that he encountered the accommodating retailer who unintentionally printed a ticket with 10 lines for each draw instead of the requested 10 draws. Sopejstal, however, made the wise decision to still purchase the ticket.

Taking some time to consider his options, Sopejstal finally made his way to lottery headquarters to collect his winnings from the September draw. He received a lump sum payout of $309,000. While it remains unclear whether the store clerk responsible for the gaffe received a tip for his blunder, Sopejstal can certainly count himself lucky for the unforeseen turn of events.

The Lucky For Life game offers incredible opportunities for players to win big. Matching five winning numbers plus the Lucky Ball number grants players a top prize of $1,000 a day for life. However, even matching just the five winning numbers, as Sopejstal did, still awards a substantial prize of $25,000 a week for life. Sopejstal's story serves as a reminder that sometimes mistakes can lead to incredible fortune and life-altering moments.