Genesee County Man Wins $25,000 a Year for Life
Matthew Russell from Fenton, Michigan, recently experienced a life-changing moment when he won the Lucky for Life jackpot. On June 30, Russell matched five white balls drawn—06, 09, 12, 24, and 32—securing a prize of $25,000 a year for life. He purchased the winning ticket at Hartland AC Holdings LLC, located at 10440 Highland Road in Hartland, about 50 miles east of Lansing.
Russell made a last-minute decision to stop and buy the ticket while driving home. He checked the winning numbers via the Michigan Lottery’s hotline and confirmed his win. Expressing excitement and disbelief, Russell shared his joy upon realizing he had won. Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli highlighted the unpredictability and excitement of lottery games, congratulating Russell on his win.
At 57 years old, Russell visited Lottery headquarters to claim his prize. He opted for a one-time lump sum payment of $390,000 instead of annual payments of $25,000 for life or over 20 years. Russell plans to save his winnings as a financial cushion for retirement.
Macomb County Man Wins $795,905 Fantasy 5 Jackpot
A 53-year-old man from Macomb County, who chose to remain anonymous, won a $795,905 Fantasy 5 jackpot from the Michigan Lottery. On July 27, he matched all five numbers—02, 05, 17, 21, and 30—in the drawing. The player typically buys Fantasy 5 tickets when the jackpot exceeds $250,000 and usually purchases them in-store. However, on the night of the drawing, he realized he had forgotten to buy tickets and decided to purchase two online instead.
Initially, he received an email stating he had won $1 in the drawing but later received another email instructing him to log into his account to claim his prize. Upon logging in and seeing $795,905 pending, he initially thought it was a scam until visiting the Lottery office to claim his prize made it feel real. The night before winning the jackpot, he had matched four out of five numbers on his Fantasy 5 ticket and won $100 but was disappointed about missing out on a larger prize by one number.
Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli highlighted that online games provide convenience for players who can’t visit their favorite retailers and feature responsible gaming tools for regulation. The player plans to invest his winnings after recently visiting Lottery headquarters to claim his prize.
Mega Millions Winning Numbers for August 9, 2024
The Mega Millions drawing on August 9, 2024, did not produce a jackpot winner. The jackpot had reached an estimated $405 million, with a cash option of $197.9 million. The winning numbers for the drawing were 12, 32, 38, 40, and 57, with the Mega Ball being 21 and the Megaplier being 2x.
Although no one won the Mega Millions jackpot, two tickets matched the five white balls to win $1 million each. These tickets were purchased in Oregon and Tennessee. The next Mega Millions drawing is scheduled for Tuesday, August 13, with drawings held at 11 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday. In Michigan, in-store and online ticket sales are available until 10:45 p.m. on the night of the draw.
New Michigan Lottery Game: $300 Million Extraordinaire
The Michigan Lottery recently launched a new game called the $300 Million Extraordinaire instant game. This game, which began on August 6, offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $50 to $6 million instantly. Each ticket costs $50.
For non-winning tickets, there is a second chance option available. Players can scan their non-winning tickets using the Michigan Lottery mobile app by May 2, 2025, for a chance to win a $100,000 prize. There will be 10 second chance drawings, with each drawing awarding two $100,000 prizes.
Unclaimed Prizes and Responsible Gaming
The Michigan Lottery has had instances of unclaimed prizes. For example, a Mega Millions winner worth $1 million sold in Southfield in 2023 went unclaimed, and the funds were redirected to the state’s School Aid Fund. The Lottery encourages players to check their tickets regularly to avoid missing out on potential winnings.
For those with gambling problems, assistance is available. Players can contact 1-800-GAMBLER or visit the Michigan Gaming Control Board’s website for support and resources. The Michigan Lottery also emphasizes responsible gaming and provides tools to help players manage their gaming activities.
Previous Michigan Lottery Winners
In June 2024, the Breakfast Club lottery club won an $842 million Mega Millions jackpot. The members of the club plan to buy homes in Florida and travel. This win highlights the life-changing potential of lottery games and the excitement they bring to players.
Conclusion
The Michigan Lottery continues to create life-changing moments for its players. From Matthew Russell’s $25,000 a year for life win to the anonymous Macomb County man’s $795,905 Fantasy 5 jackpot, these stories showcase the excitement and unpredictability of lottery games. With new games like the $300 Million Extraordinaire and the ongoing Mega Millions drawings, players have numerous opportunities to win big. The Michigan Lottery also emphasizes responsible gaming and provides resources for those in need of assistance. As always, players are encouraged to check their tickets regularly and play responsibly.
