All news

Dad advice wins big: Lotto 47 player scores $7.19 million jackpot

Talk about a Father's Day gift that keeps on giving!

The Michigan Lottery and the Lotto 47 logos on a blue background.
Samantha Herscher

A Wayne County, Michigan, man recently walked away with a life-changing sum, all thanks to his dad's sage advice.

The lucky player, who prefers to remain anonymous, listened to his father's suggestion to stick with a chosen set of numbers. This loyalty to his dad's wisdom turned out to be a winning strategy, landing him the biggest prize ever awarded through the Michigan Lottery website – a $7.19 million Lotto 47 jackpot!

The 38-year-old winner said:

I have been playing Lotto 47 for a long time and would always switch up my number. One day, my dad told me I should pick a set of numbers and stick with them, so that's what I did. I purchased an online subscription and have been playing the same set of numbers for a few years.

One ordinary day, an email notification from the Lottery alerted him to a prize. After logging into his account, his jaw dropped – a life-altering $7.19 million was waiting for him!

He said:

I was in total shock and instantly thought how my dad had been right!

The winner claimed his prize at the Michigan Lottery headquarters, opting for a lump sum payout of about $4.9 million instead of receiving the winnings in smaller installments over time. 

With his newfound financial security, he plans to invest a portion of the money and ensure his children's college education is fully funded.

The still-astounded player said:

Winning feels surreal. It hasn't quite sunk in yet that I'm a millionaire!

This record-breaking win extends far beyond the lucky player himself.

As the Michigan Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli highlighted:

This record-setting Lotto 47 jackpot win comes with an incredible story.

Proceeds from the Michigan Lottery directly support public education programs throughout the state. This win contributes to what's projected to be the sixth consecutive year where lottery contributions surpass $1 billion for public education.

How to play and win big on Lotto 47

Lotto 47 offers an exciting chance to win a jackpot that starts at $1 million and keeps growing until someone claims it. For just $1 per play, you choose six numbers from a pool ranging from 1 to 47. To double your winning opportunities, add Double Play to your ticket for an extra dollar. This gives a chance to win up to $1.5 million in a separate drawing held after each regular Lotto 47 drawing.

For an additional $1 per game, you can add EZMatch to your ticket. This gives you the possibility of winning up to $500 on the spot.

Lotto 47 drawings are held twice weekly, on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:29 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at authorized retailers or online until 7:08 p.m. on drawing days.

Enjoy the Michigan Lottery, and please play responsibly.

Related games

Comments

0
Loading comments

Related articles

A Powerball billboard displaying a $775 million jackpot.
$775M Powerball jackpot makes it second-biggest prize of 2025

Three players came close, but Powerball's massive jackpot keeps growing.

Samantha Herscher profile pic

Samantha Herscher

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul signing a bill on a desk.
As states ban online sweeps, are lotteries about to get a sales boost?

States cutting off sweeps could push gamers back to lottery tickets. Will that drive a surge in jackpots?

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

A drawing of a bottle of poison, crime investigation documents, and a magnifying glass over a fingerprint.
Secrets and lies: The tragic death of lottery winner Ibi Roncaioli

The shocking secret that led to a lottery winner's murder.

Alex Cramer profile pic

Alex Cramer

An electronic billborad displaying "Amber Alert".
Lotteries are working with AMBER Alerts to save children's lives

Did you know? Lottery screens are also used to disseminate AMBER Alerts.

Halley Bondy profile pic

Halley Bondy

Recent articles

View All
Georgia State Capitol Building in Atlanta
Legislators: Need-based lottery scholarships will buoy Georgia economy

Georgia is losing skilled workers. Lottery-funded scholarships could help.

Halley Bondy profile pic

Halley Bondy

1040 Form example
Could America ever ban post-jackpot moves to tax-free states?

Many big winners relocate after hitting it big, but what if your home state claimed your taxes first?

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

Fired envelope
How a $20K ticket created one of Tampa’s weirdest lottery disputes

A loyal friend, a scratcher win, and a pointed memo collided into a messy dismissal. Why?

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold

Brazilian flag
How Brazil’s lottery reform could influence U.S. prize pool

Brazil’s new revenue split could inspire U.S. lotteries to increase prize funding and rethink how payouts are structured.

Todd Betzold profile pic

Todd Betzold