Michael Williams of St. Paul considers his $500,000 Lottery win a “blessing” and a belated birthday present.

Williams turned 50 on Aug. 27 — two days before winning a half million dollars on the $500,000 Cash Explosion® scratch ticket. “I didn’t get anything from anybody so God decided to add a couple zeros to my birthday present this year,” said Williams as he claimed his prize at the Lottery’s headquarters in Roseville on Aug. 31.

Cub Foods (Sun Ray), located at 2197 Hudson Road in St. Paul, sold the $500,000 winning ticket.

The $500,000 Cash Explosion® scratch game offers a top prize of $500,000. There are currently three of four $500,000 top prizes and four of five $50,000 prizes remaining. The overall odds of winning a prize by playing $500,000 Cash Explosion are 1 in 3.04. Each $20 ticket is a blast of fun games and 35 chances to win!