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It was another record-setting win for Michigan Lottery players, as the largest Fantasy 5 jackpot winner ever came forward to claim their prize.
Biggest Fantasy 5 jackpot ever
The Fantasy 5 jackpot grew to $963,040 for the June 26, 2024, drawing, the largest jackpot prize since the game began in 2004. The previous biggest jackpot for Fantasy 5 was a $924,880 jackpot won on January 17, 2020, by a single ticket purchased on the Michigan Lottery website.
The winning numbers for that drawing were 4, 5, 8, 22, and 38. The lucky winner matched all five of the numbers to win that record-breaking jackpot.
The 56-year-old player from Macomb County, who chose to remain anonymous, bought his winning ticket from Smoker's Express, located at 51124 D W Seaton Drive in New Baltimore. The lucky winner told state lottery officials:
I play Fantasy 5 every single day. The day after the drawing, I was at work and heard a big Fantasy 5 jackpot was won, so I got on [the Michigan Lottery website] to see where it was sold. When I saw the winning ticket was purchased at the store where I usually play, I called my wife and said: “My store sold a big winner!” She asked if it was me, but I didn't have my ticket on me to check.
He was finally able to check his ticket later that night with his wife. After realizing he was the big winner, he said:
I didn't know how to feel at first because I didn't believe it was real. Now that it's finally sunk in, it feels great!
Big plans with those winnings
The lucky winner recently made his way to the Michigan Lottery Headquarters to claim the big jackpot. Now that he has the money in hand, he said he plans on buying a new vehicle, a new home, and a cottage with the winnings. Sounds like he has some big plans!
A last-minute win for this Fantasy 5 regular
Another recent Fantasy 5 winner waited until the last minute to purchase his tickets for the June 3 drawing, but it paid off.
Russell Morgenstern, 67, matched all five of the Fantasy 5 numbers in the June 3 drawing to win the jackpot of $170,129. The winning numbers for that drawing were 12, 20, 26, 31, and 34. He bought his winning ticket on the Michigan Lottery website.
Morgenstern told state lottery officials:
I play Fantasy 5 every day, and I have been playing online for about five or six years. Around 6 p.m. the night of the drawing, I remembered I hadn't purchased my tickets yet, so I logged into my account and purchased a few tickets with easy pick numbers.
It worked out for Morgenstern, who got an email from the Michigan Lottery later that night informing him he won! After checking his ticket, he said:
Winning this prize is a windfall and a huge blessing!
After recently visiting Lottery headquarters to claim his prize, he said he plans on retiring and remodeling his lake house with his winnings.
Enjoy playing the Michigan Lottery, and please remember to play responsibly.
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