DEXTER, Mich. - Russell Tanner better stay inside during a thunderstorm, because if somebody has a chance of being struck by lightning, it's him. The 78-year-old Dexter resident won his second $1 million scratch-off lottery game last week — the only known two-time winner of the game in Michigan. The retired custodian and factory worker who still lived in a manufactured home following his June 2002 winning ticket, said he was stunned to win again. "I couldn't believe that I could be so blessed. It just feels great to win," he said. The odds to win the game just once are one in 623,825. Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters said odds of winning twice haven't been calculated. No one at the state lottery office can remember someone winning $1 million twice, he said. "We have so few $1 million winners from instant games as it is, but to have one gentleman win twice is really extraordinary," Peters told The Ann Arbor News for a story Friday. Tanner is divorced and lives alone. He has no plans to move, he said. Tanner said he sent his four grown children, who are scattered across the country, some of his winnings. "They were pretty happy, but my daughter wouldn't believe me. I had to convince her heavily," he said. "Charity starts at home." He said his new fortune isn't likely to change his lifestyle, except that he has bought a new Buick and some life insurance. "I get older, and I am pretty all set. I am pretty happy about it." Peters said the state has 71 types of instant lottery tickets. Tanner's most recent win was with a "$1 Million Dream" ticket, he said.
"Now I'm going for three!" Tanner said.
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"Now I'm going for three!" Tanner said.
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