The last-minute decision to stop and buy a Lucky For Life ticket led to a lifetime of cash for a Genesee County man who won $25,00 a year for life playing Lucky for Life!
Matthew Russell, of Fenton, won the big prize when his Lucky For Life ticket matched the five white balls drawn on June 30: 06-09-12-24-32. He bought his winning ticket at Hartland AC Holdings LLC, located at 10440 Highland Road in Hartland. Hartland is about 50 miles east of Lansing.
“I wasn’t going to play Lucky for Life that day, but I was driving by the store on my way home and decided at the last minute to stop and buy a ticket,” said Russell. “The next day, I called the Michigan Lottery’s winning number hotline, and when all my numbers were read off, I shouted: ‘Heck yeah!’ I instantly felt numb, and I still do weeks later!”
“Part of what makes playing Lottery games fun is never knowing when or where you might buy a big winner,” said Lottery Commissioner, Suzanna Shkreli. “Just like Matthew found out, making a last-minute stop on a whim can lead to a life-changing win. Congratulations to Matthew on his big win!”
Russell, 57, visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim his prize. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of $390,000, rather than annuity payments of $25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater. He plans to save his winnings and use it as a financial cushion for retirement.
Lucky For Life has been exceptionally lucky for Lottery players this year. Players have won a lifetime of cash 10 times so far in 2024 playing Lucky For Life. The big wins came on:
- Feb. 20, with a ticket bought at Borders Corner Store, located at 7024 East Pickard Road in Mount Pleasant. This prize was claimed by a Flushing woman.
- March 12, with a ticket bought online at This prize was claimed by an Escanaba woman.
- March 23, with a ticket bought at the Value Center Market, located at 27428 6 Mile Road in Livonia. This prize was claimed by a Redford Township woman.
- March 25, with a ticket bought online at This prize was claimed by a Flushing man.
- March 26, with a ticket bought at Merriman Drugs, located at 31320 5 Mile Road in Livonia. This prize has yet to be claimed.
- April 17, with a ticket bought online at This prize was claimed by a Detroit woman.
- April 19, with a ticket bought at the Hub Sports Bistro, located at 16780 21 Mile Road in Macomb Township. This prize was claimed by a Macomb man.
- April 29, with a ticket bought at Morning Fresh Bakeries, located at 3223 North Adrian Highway in Adrian. This prize was claimed be a Lenawee County woman.
- May 16, with a ticket bought at the Shell gas station, located at 11541 East 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights. This prize was recently claimed by a Sterling Heights woman.
- June 30, with a ticket bought at Hartland AC Holdings LLC, located at 10440 Highland Road in Hartland.
For just $2 per play, Lucky For Life gives Lottery players a chance to win prizes ranging from $3 to a lifetime of cash. To win the game’s top prize of $1,000 a day for life, players must match all five winning numbers ranging from 1 to 48, plus one Lucky Ball ranging from 1 to 18. Players who match all five winning numbers, but not the Lucky Ball, will win $25,000 a year for life. Drawings take place at 10:38 p.m. seven days-a-week. Tickets may be purchased at Lottery retailers across the state and online at Michiganmilotteryconnect.casinowinning.net.
