Record-Setting Fantasy 5 Jackpot in New Baltimore
A Michigan Lottery player recently won a record-setting $963,040 Fantasy 5 jackpot. This is the largest Fantasy 5 prize ever won since the game began in 2004. The winning numbers were 04-05-08-22-38. The winning ticket was purchased at Smoker’s Express, located at 51124 DW Seaton Drive in New Baltimore, about 20 miles northeast of Sterling Heights. The previous Fantasy 5 record was a $924,880 jackpot won on January 17, 2020, by a single ticket purchased online at MichiganLottery.com. The recent winner should contact the Lottery’s Player Relations division at 844-917-6325 to set up an appointment to claim their prize. Fantasy 5 tickets are valid for one year from the date of the drawing. Each Fantasy 5 play costs $1. For an additional $1 per play, EZmatch can be added to win up to $500 instantly. For another additional $1 per play, Double Play can be added for a second chance to win up to $110,000 in the nightly Double Play drawing. Players may win prizes in the regular nightly drawing, the Double Play drawing, or both. In Fantasy 5, players select five numbers from one to 39. Matching all five numbers drawn wins a jackpot starting at $100,000. Drawings are held seven days a week at 7:29 p.m., and tickets can be purchased until 7:08 p.m. on the day of the drawing either at retailers or online at MichiganLottery.
Powerball Winner in Southgate
Benjamin Pauline, 49, won a $500,000 Powerball prize from the Michigan lottery. He bought the winning ticket with his son at a Stop & Go convenience store in Southgate, near Detroit. His son informed him about the winning ticket while he was on his way to a party with his wife. Initially, he lost hope while scanning tickets but discovered the win on the last ticket. He described the moment as “unreal” when $500,000 appeared on the screen with confetti. Benjamin claimed his prize at the lottery headquarters in Lansing. He plans to use the money to buy a new home, invest, and take care of his family. It is unclear if he chose a lump sum or annuity payout. Michigan taxes lottery winnings over $5,000 at a rate of 4.25%. The federal tax rate for lottery winnings is 24%. Combined taxes could reduce total winnings by approximately $141,250. Another Michigan winner collected a $6 million prize anonymously after spending $50 on an instant scratch-off ticket. The winning ticket number was considered lucky (number 14). After taxes, this winner took home about $4.1 million. They plan to invest in a business and care for their family.
Tuscola County Woman Wins Big
A 68-year-old woman from Tuscola County won a $500,000 prize in the Michigan Lottery’s Luxury Cashword instant game. The winning ticket was purchased at Ben’s Fresh Market on Church Street in Cass City. Initially, the woman thought she had won $1,000 by revealing nine words on her ticket. Her husband pointed out that one more word would have made it a $500,000 prize. Upon rechecking the ticket the next day, she discovered a tenth word, confirming her jackpot win. She immediately drove to the Lottery office to have her win confirmed. The winner plans to use her prize money to pay bills, invest, buy new furniture, and save the rest. She expressed relief and disbelief over her win. Michigan Lottery winners have already claimed $34 million from the Luxury Cashword instant game; over $26 million in prizes remain unclaimed, including another $500,000 jackpot.
Mid-Michigan Lottery Club Claims Historic Powerball Jackpot
The largest Powerball prize ever won in Michigan, amounting to $842.4 million, was claimed by “The Breakfast Club” lottery club. The jackpot was won in the January 1 drawing, and a representative came forward to accept the prize more than five months later. Mark K. Harder, representing the lottery club, described the members’ emotions as ranging from elation and overwhelm to thrill and nervousness. They experienced shock and sleepless nights while contemplating how this event would transform their lives. Harder spoke on behalf of the other two members during a press conference at Food Castle of Grand Blanc, where the winning ticket was sold. Michigan law requires grand prize winners of multi-state lotteries to be named publicly; however, if claimed by a lottery club, only one person needs to be publicly named. The winners matched all five white numbers (12-21-42-44-49) and the red Powerball (01). This $842.4 million jackpot is the second-largest lottery prize ever won in Michigan, following a $1.05 billion Mega Millions jackpot in 2021 by another lottery club. The Breakfast Club chose a lump-sum payment of about $425 million instead of an annuity for the full $842.4 million. After federal tax withholding (24%, approximately $102 million) and state tax withholding (4.25%, approximately $18 million), they received about $305 million. Suzanna Shkreli called it a “beautiful moment” for the winners and noted that seeing big winners boosts confidence in the Michigan Lottery. The winners, described as “middle-aged” Mid-Michigan residents, plan to stay in Michigan but are interested in buying a home in Florida. They intend to use their winnings to pay off debt, help immediate family members, travel more, and donate to various charities and organizations with their advisors’ help. Their statement emphasized that this win will positively affect their family for generations and has opened up incredible opportunities for them. They are now enjoying financial freedom and looking forward to new opportunities.
Oakland County Man Wins Fantasy 5 Jackpot
An Oakland County man won a $446,571 Fantasy 5 jackpot from the Michigan Lottery. The decision to purchase the Fantasy 5 ticket was made at the last minute. The winner is a 43-year-old man who chose to remain anonymous. He matched the Fantasy 5 numbers in the May 28 drawing: 07 – 16 – 24 – 29 – 31. The winning ticket was bought at a 7-Eleven located at 41110 Hayes Road in Clinton Township. The player usually plays Mega Millions and Powerball but decided to buy a Fantasy 5 ticket on a whim. A few days later, he discovered his win when people were talking about a big Fantasy 5 winner sold at that store. He scanned his ticket and realized he was the big winner, causing great excitement in his household. The player visited Lottery headquarters to claim his prize. He plans to invest his winnings and put money into his children’s college funds. For an additional $1 per play, EZmatch can be added for a chance to win up to $500 instantly. For another $1 per play, Double Play can be added for a second chance to win up to $110,000 in nightly Double Play drawings. Players can win prizes in regular nightly drawings, Double Play drawings, or both. In Fantasy 5, players select five numbers from one to thirty-nine. Matching all five numbers wins a jackpot starting at $100,000, with tickets available for purchase until 7:08 p.m.
Clinton Township Man Wins $6 Million Scratch-Off Prize
A 32-year-old Michigan man won a $6 million lottery jackpot. The winning ticket was a $50 “500X Money Maker” scratch-off purchased at a 7-Eleven in Clinton Township. The man, who chose to remain anonymous, occasionally plays lottery games and this was only his second ticket purchase of the year. He asked the store clerk for the number on the next ticket and bought it because it was his and his wife’s lucky number, 14. Upon scratching off the ticket and discovering he had won $6 million, he started hyperventilating and took the day off work due to shock. He texted his wife with the message: “Lucky number 14.” The winner opted for a one-time lump sum payment of $4 million. Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli congratulated the winner and expressed hope that the prize would positively impact him and his family for many years. The man plans to invest his winnings, help his family, and start a business.
Unclaimed Prizes and Final Thoughts
For further information on Michigan Lottery games or if you have a gambling problem, visit the official Michigan Lottery site or call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-270-7117. Additionally, a Mega Millions winner worth $1 million sold in Southfield went unclaimed; funds went to the state’s School Aid Fund. Michigan Lottery winners have the opportunity to change their lives significantly, and these recent winners are prime examples of how a single ticket can lead to financial freedom and new opportunities.
