Michigan Man Wins $476K After Playing One of America’s Favorite Lottery Games

Across the country, lottery play remains one of the most popular forms of gambling, with about 62% of U.S. adults saying they’ve gambled in the past year. Scratch-offs and draw tickets lead participation rates, while casinos and sports betting now generate most of the industry’s $66 billion in annual revenue.

And for one lucky player in Michigan, that love of the lottery turned into a life-changing moment after he claimed a $476,728 Fantasy 5 jackpot from the Michigan Lottery. The 63-year-old winner, who has chosen to stay anonymous, matched all five numbers in the September 18 drawing - 02, 21, 29, 36, and 38 - taking home nearly half a million dollars.

Breaking Routine Pays Off

The winner, a regular Fantasy 5 player, normally buys just one ticket per draw. But as the jackpot grew, he decided to grab a few extra tickets at his local convenience store, the Alpine E-Z Mart in Comstock Park. That quick decision turned a simple purchase into a major win.

After the drawing, he checked the winning numbers online, saw that the winning ticket came from the same store, and retrieved his tickets from his car. When he compared them, he realized he’d just hit the jackpot.

A Practical Approach to a Big Win

The Michigan Lottery confirmed that the man has claimed his prize and plans to save it for retirement. While he isn’t retiring immediately, he called the money a financial cushion for the future,  a chance to feel more secure in the years ahead.

The Fantasy 5 jackpot began at $100,000 before rolling over multiple times to reach the final $476,728 prize for the September 18 drawing. That rising total convinced many regular players to take a chance with additional tickets, just as this winner did.

Fantasy 5: Michigan’s Popular Daily Draw

Fantasy 5 remains one of the most accessible and affordable draw games in the state. Each play costs just $1, and players select five numbers between 1 and 39. Matching all five earns the jackpot, which grows each day until someone wins.

For an extra $1 per play, players can add EZmatch for a chance to win up to $500 instantly, or Double Play for a second chance to win up to $110,000 in a nightly drawing.

Drawings occur daily at 7:29 p.m., and tickets can be bought in-store or online at MichiganLottery.com until 7:08 p.m. that evening.

Michigan’s Winning Streak Continues

This latest Fantasy 5 success joins a string of Michigan Lottery wins in recent months. In Macomb County, a 69-year-old man recently won $500,000 from Spectacular Wild Time, an instant game. In other parts of the state, several players have hit million-dollar prizes from draw and scratch-off games, reinforcing Michigan’s reputation as a lottery hotspot.

Elsewhere, across the country, a player in Washington State claimed $230,000 in the Hit 5 drawing, showing that local lotteries continue to change lives nationwide.

A Lucky Store in Comstock Park

The Alpine E-Z Mart, now known for selling the winning ticket, has become something of a local landmark. Retailers that sell jackpot tickets often see an uptick in customers hoping the luck continues. For residents of Comstock Park, the win adds excitement to a familiar neighborhood stop.

Staying Grounded After the Win

The Michigan Lottery encourages winners to make sound financial decisions and seek guidance after major payouts. Most large-prize winners, including this one, opt to remain anonymous for privacy and safety reasons.

For this 63-year-old, the prize represents stability rather than sudden extravagance. Instead of big purchases or publicity, his focus is on preparing for retirement and securing long-term peace of mind.

A Reminder: Lottery Is About Enjoyment, Not Income

Stories like this are always inspiring, but it’s worth remembering that lottery games are meant for enjoyment, not as a source of income. Big wins are rare, and the real value lies in the fun of playing, not in chasing a payday.

Practicing responsible gaming helps keep that balance, ensuring the experience stays enjoyable rather than stressful. When approached with moderation and awareness, the lottery remains what it’s meant to be, a lighthearted bit of excitement and an occasional reminder that luck can strike anywhere.