Oak Park Man Wins $170,129 Fantasy 5 Jackpot
Russell Morgenstern, an Oak Park resident, recently experienced a life-changing moment when he won a $170,129 Fantasy 5 jackpot from the Michigan Lottery. Morgenstern, who plays Fantasy 5 every day, remembered to purchase his tickets at the last minute on June 3. He logged into his account around 6 p.m. and bought a few tickets with easy pick numbers. Later that evening, he received an email from the Lottery informing him of his win. He confirmed his victory by checking the Michigan Lottery website.
Morgenstern’s winning numbers were 12-20-26-31-34. He purchased the winning ticket online at MichiganLottery.com. After claiming his prize at the Lottery headquarters, Morgenstern shared his plans to retire and remodel his lake house. This win marks a significant milestone in his life, allowing him to pursue his dreams and enjoy his retirement.
Saginaw County Man Wins $4 Million on Instant Ticket
A 52-year-old man from Saginaw County won a staggering $4 million on a Michigan Lottery instant ticket. The man, who chose to remain anonymous, purchased two $4,000,000 Ultimate instant tickets at a convenience store. He scratched the barcodes and scanned the tickets in the store. Upon scanning the first ticket, he received a message instructing him to file a claim. Confused, he scanned it again and got the same message, leading him to think the scanner was broken.
The second ticket displayed an expected message, which further puzzled him. He went to his car to scratch off the tickets while pumping gas and discovered he had won $4 million. Overwhelmed with emotion, he shouted in his car: “We just won $4 million!” The winning $30 ticket was purchased at Fastlane convenience store located at 3540 State St. in Saginaw. The man recently claimed his prize and opted for a one-time lump sum payment of about $2.7 million. He plans to use the money to purchase land and invest.
Genesee County Man Credits $500,000 Win to a ‘Sign’
A 26-year-old man from Genesee County won $500,000 in the lottery, attributing his win to a “sign” from his movie star look-alike. The man, who chose to remain anonymous, bought a $5 Lucky No. 13 ticket at an E-Z Stop Food Mart in Flint. He scratched the ticket with friends and initially couldn’t believe he had won $500,000. To confirm his win, he checked the ticket again in the bathroom before sharing the news with his friends and calling his girlfriend.
The man plans to use his prize money to take care of his children and go on vacation. He expressed feeling blessed for winning such an amount. The Lucky No. 13 game has been popular since its launch in April 2023, with players winning more than $23 million in prizes ranging from $5 to $500,000.
Michigan Woman Wins $2 Million on Scratch-Off Ticket
A Michigan woman won a $2 million lottery jackpot after purchasing a ticket on her way to pick up pizza. The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, scratched off the $2,000 Large lottery ticket while waiting for her pizza order. She typically does not buy scratch-off tickets; it is usually her husband who does. Upon scratching the ticket in her car, she discovered she had won the top prize of $2 million.
Overwhelmed with excitement, she immediately called her husband to share the news. The woman brought home both the pizza and the winning lottery ticket. She plans to use her winnings to pay some bills and take a vacation. She opted for a one-time lump sum payment of $1.3 million instead of annuity payments for the full amount. The overall odds of winning the $2,000 Large are 1 in 3.73 according to the Michigan Lottery.
Unclaimed $842 Million Powerball Ticket
An $842 million winning Powerball ticket from January remains unclaimed in Michigan. The winning numbers drawn on January 1, 2024, were 12-21-42-44-49 and Powerball: 01. The ticket was purchased at Food Castle of Grand Blanc in Grand Blanc. This jackpot is the fifth-largest Powerball jackpot ever won and the tenth-largest in U.S. Lottery history. It is also the second-largest Lottery jackpot ever won in Michigan.
The winner must contact the Lottery’s Player Relations Division at 844-917-6325 to claim the prize within one year from the drawing date. Powerball tickets cost $2 per play and are sold in 45 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The purchase deadline is until 9:45 p.m. on the day of the drawing at retailers or online at MichiganLottery.com. Jackpot winners have the option to choose between an annuity paid in 30 graduated payments over 29 years or a lump sum payment, both options before federal and jurisdictional taxes.
Impact of Lottery Wins on Michigan Communities
Lottery wins have a significant impact on Michigan communities. For instance, the Michigan Lottery contributes a portion of its revenue to the School Aid Fund, which supports public education in the state. The recent wins by residents like Russell Morgenstern, the Saginaw County man, and the Genesee County man highlight the life-changing potential of lottery games. These wins not only benefit the individuals but also contribute to the state’s economy and public services.
In addition to the large jackpots, many smaller prizes are claimed by players each week. Last week alone, total prizes claimed by players amounted to $83,326,659. This influx of winnings helps stimulate local economies as winners often spend their money on goods, services, and investments within their communities.
How to Play and Win
Playing the Michigan Lottery offers various opportunities to win big. For example, each Fantasy 5 play costs $1, and players can add the EZmatch option for an additional $1 per play, giving them a chance to win up to $500 instantly. The Double Play option, also for an additional $1 per play, gives players a second chance to win up to $110,000 in the nightly Double Play drawing. Players may win prizes in both regular nightly drawings and Double Play drawings.
To play 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 at retailers or online until 7:08 p.m. on the day of the drawing.
Conclusion
The recent lottery wins in Michigan showcase the excitement and life-changing potential of playing the lottery. From Russell Morgenstern’s $170,129 Fantasy 5 jackpot to the Saginaw County man’s $4 million instant ticket win, these stories inspire hope and dreams for many. As the Michigan Lottery continues to offer various games and opportunities, players are encouraged to try their luck and potentially change their lives forever.
