Indiana Woman Wins $500,000 in White Elephant Gift Exchange

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A family Christmas party turned into a life-changing event for Emily Hickox, a 25-year-old woman from Indiana. Emily won $500,000 from a Detroit Lions scratch-off lottery ticket she received during a white elephant gift exchange.

Her cousin had purchased the ticket for the gift exchange. Emily’s father won the ticket during the game, while she ended up with a flashlight. After the game, her father proposed a trade, wanting the flashlight back. Emily agreed to the swap, not knowing it would be the best decision of her life.

On Christmas Day, which is also her birthday, Emily scratched the ticket. At first, she thought she had won $50,000. But after scanning the ticket using the Michigan Lottery app, she realized she had actually won $500,000.

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The winning ticket for the gift exchange was purchased at the Meijer store on 10 Mile Road in Rockford, Michigan. Emily visited Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing to claim her prize. She plans to buy a new car, invest, and share her winnings with her cousin and parents.

Players are reminded to check their tickets promptly, as unclaimed prizes are forfeited to the state.