Unclaimed $131,121 Fantasy 5 Prize: Time Is Running Out
A Michigan Lottery player is facing a fast-approaching deadline to claim a $131,121 Fantasy 5 prize that remains uncollected. The winning ticket matched all five numbers drawn on December 3, 2024: 7, 10, 21, 22, and 26. This lucky ticket was sold at the Pike Food Center located at 465 East Pike Street in Pontiac, Michigan. According to state lottery rules, winners in Michigan have one year from the drawing date to claim their prizes. This means the deadline to claim this prize is by 4:45 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3, 2025. If the prize is not claimed by then, the money will be transferred to Michigan’s School Aid Fund, which supports public education across the state.
The Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing is the only place where this prize can be claimed. Winners are encouraged to contact the Player Relations division at 1-844-917-6325 to schedule an appointment for prize collection. The lottery urges all players to check their old Fantasy 5 tickets, as there have been past instances of unclaimed prizes. For example, a $250,000 Powerball prize sold in Bloomfield Hills went unclaimed in 2024. This highlights the importance of checking tickets regularly and not missing out on life-changing winnings.
Recent Major Michigan Lottery Winners
Michigan has seen several notable lottery winners in recent months. One of the most remarkable stories is that of The Breakfast Club lottery club, which won an $842 million Mega Millions jackpot in June 2024. The group plans to use their winnings to purchase a new home and travel. This win is one of the largest in Michigan’s history and has brought national attention to the state’s lottery games.
Other recent winners include players who have claimed six-figure payouts and those who have won second-chance drawings. For example, during special events like Detroit Tigers games, the Michigan Lottery has awarded $1 million in second-chance drawings. These events give players another opportunity to win big, even if their original ticket did not hit the jackpot. The excitement around these wins encourages more people to participate in the lottery and try their luck.
Super Raffle: A Chance to Win Millions
The Michigan Lottery is currently hosting a Super Raffle drawing, scheduled for November 19. This raffle offers players the chance to win millions in prizes, including the largest raffle prize ever offered by the Michigan Lottery: $6 million. The Super Raffle features the richest payout and best odds ever to win the top prize. In addition to the $6 million grand prize, there are two prizes of $1 million each, twelve prizes of $100,000 each, 3,500 prizes of $500 each, and 15,000 prizes of $100 each.
There are fewer than 160,000 Super Raffle tickets remaining for purchase, and each ticket costs $50. Tickets are available at retailers throughout Michigan. Once all raffle numbers are issued, ticket sales will close. If tickets do not sell out before the drawing date, sales will end at 2:59 a.m. on November 19. Winning numbers will be posted online at MichiganLottery.com on the day of the drawing. Players must present their original Super Raffle ticket to claim any prize, and all prizes must be claimed within one year from the drawing date. Prizes of $6 million, $1 million, and $100,000 must be claimed at Lottery Headquarters in Lansing, while all other prizes can be redeemed at any Michigan Lottery retailer.
The Super Raffle has a history of making millionaires in Michigan. The most recent previous Super Raffle was held in August 2018, awarding more than $11.8 million in total prizes to players. This year’s raffle is expected to create even more winners and excitement across the state.
Holiday-Themed Instant Games: Festive Fun and Big Prizes
As the holiday season approaches, the Michigan Lottery is offering four holiday-themed instant games that provide players with chances to win millions in prizes. These games are available for purchase at retailers across Michigan and make great gifts, especially for adults on Christmas lists. One of the highlighted games is the $5 National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation instant game, which is the first-ever licensed holiday game offered by the Michigan Lottery. This game is produced under license from Scientific Games, LLC, in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences.
The total cash prizes offered through these holiday instant games exceed $59 million, with more than $8 million allocated for retailer commissions. Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli expressed excitement about these seasonal games and emphasized their appeal as festive gifts that look great under a tree or in stockings. The Michigan Lottery reminds players to be responsible: all players must be at least 18 years old, and lottery tickets should not be given as gifts to minors.
In 2024 alone, Michigan Lottery players have won nearly $1.8 billion playing instant games. Last week, total prize claims by players amounted to over $83 million. These numbers show just how popular and rewarding instant games can be for Michigan residents.
Excellence in Education: Recognizing Michigan’s Educators
The Michigan Lottery is not just about big jackpots and instant games. It also recognizes outstanding public-school educators through its Excellence in Education awards. Recently, Ben Darin, an eighth-grade teacher at Eastern Middle School in Kent County, won the Excellence in Education Award. Darin teaches Science, Flight and Space, and Green Architecture. The awards were established in 2014 to honor educators who make a significant impact in their communities.
Weekly award winners receive a $2,000 cash prize, and at the end of the school year, one weekly winner is selected as the Lottery’s Educator of the Year and receives a $10,000 cash prize. Each winner is featured in a news segment on several media partner stations, including WXYZ-TV (Detroit), FOX 17 (Grand Rapids), FOX 47 (Lansing), WLUC (Marquette), WNEM-TV (Saginaw), and WWTV-TV (Traverse City).
Darin’s story is especially inspiring. He overcame childhood adversity, fighting brain cancer in third grade, and now uses that experience as inspiration for his career in education. He credits his third-grade teacher’s care during his illness as motivation to become a teacher himself, aiming to be a positive role model and provide students with tools for success. Darin was nominated for the award by a family member who highlighted his encouragement of STEM careers through Project Lead The Way, while also providing options for students interested in trades or other math and science-related fields.
Claiming Prizes and Responsible Gaming
For all Michigan Lottery winners, it is important to know how to claim prizes and to play responsibly. Major prizes, such as those over $100,000, must be claimed at the Michigan Lottery headquarters in Lansing. For smaller prizes, players can visit any authorized retailer. Winners should always sign the back of their ticket and keep it in a safe place until they are ready to claim their prize.
The Michigan Lottery provides resources for those who may have gambling problems. Support is available through the 1-800-GAMBLER helpline or 1-800-270-7117, and more information can be found on the Michigan Gaming Control Board website. The lottery encourages players to set limits, avoid gambling when stressed, and never give tickets to minors.
Looking Ahead: More Chances to Win
With so many recent winners and ongoing opportunities, the Michigan Lottery continues to be a source of excitement and hope for residents across the state. Whether it is a massive jackpot, a second-chance drawing, or a holiday-themed instant game, there are always new ways to play and win. Players are encouraged to check the official Michigan Lottery website for the latest information on games, prizes, and upcoming drawings.
As the deadline approaches for the unclaimed $131,121 Fantasy 5 prize, the Michigan Lottery reminds everyone to check their tickets and not miss out on a potential windfall. With millions in prizes still up for grabs, the next big winner could be anyone in Michigan.
