A longtime Michigan lottery player has made history after winning the largest jackpot ever recorded in the state’s Lotto 47 game, turning decades of routine play into a life-changing $32.91 million prize.
The winner, a 73-year-old man from Macomb County, told Michigan Lottery officials that he has played the same set of numbers — 02-03-12-15-16-33 — consistently for the past 20 years. That persistence paid off in the December 13 Lotto 47 drawing, where his ticket matched all six numbers to secure the game’s record-breaking jackpot.
“I have been playing Lotto 47 for 20 years and I’ve always played the same sets of numbers,” the player told Lotto 47.
At first, the magnitude of the win was not immediately clear to him. He explained that he initially believed he had won only a small prize before realizing the full scope of his good fortune.
“When I checked my ticket, I saw right away I matched three numbers and thought: ‘At least I got $5 back.’ When I saw I matched the rest of the numbers, I rubbed my eyes and checked my ticket again because I couldn’t believe what I was seeing,” he said.
The disbelief extended beyond the winner himself. Family members reportedly needed proof before accepting the extraordinary news.
“I called my kids and told them, but they didn’t believe me and had to come see the ticket for themselves. We were so excited! You never expect to win a prize like this, so it still hasn’t fully sunk in,” the winner said.
Despite the multi-million-dollar windfall, the Michigan Lottery jackpot winner says his immediate plans remain modest. Along with supporting loved ones, he intends to enjoy a few simple personal rewards.
“Honestly, the first thing on my list is just treating myself to a new pair of shoes,” he said. “I also plan to share some of my winnings with my family and get a new car.”
Michigan Lottery officials confirmed that the $32.91 million payout is the largest Lotto 47 jackpot in the game’s history, highlighting the rare odds and long-term dedication behind the win.
