The family of an Oakland County man thought he was playing an April Fool’s joke when he told them he had won the $4.38 million Lotto 47 jackpot. The lucky player matched all six numbers in the April 1 drawing to win the top prize: 04-08-17-19-24-45. The winning ticket was purchased in Lathrup Village at the Lathrup Village Convenience store on 28939 Southfield Road.
The 60-year-old winner says he loves playing Lotto 47 and usually buys a ticket for every drawing. He scanned his ticket at the store and got a message saying he should file a claim at Michigan Lottery headquarters. When he checked the winning numbers after getting into his car, he couldn’t believe he had won the jackpot.
The winner explained that he immediately called his family, who thought he was playing an April Fool’s joke on them. “It took some convincing before they finally believed that I’d won,” he said.
He recently made the trip to Lottery headquarters to claim his prize and chose to receive his payment in a one-time lump sum of about $3.04 million instead of annuity payments for the entire amount. He plans on saving his winnings and will eventually make some plans for the money once it all sinks in.
Lotto 47 from the Michigan Lottery costs $1 to play by purchasing tickets online or from any of the 10,500 Lottery retailers across Michigan. Players must select six numbers from one to 47, with a chance to win the jackpot that starts at $1 million and increases until there is a winner. In addition, Double Play can be added to any ticket for $1, giving players a chance to win up to $1.5 million in the daily Double Play drawing.
Players can also add EZMatch to their Lotto 47 ticket for an additional $1 for a chance to win $500 instantly. Lucky winners of the top prize can choose to take 30 annual payments for the total amount or a lesser amount in one lump sum. Players have 60 days from the date they claim their prize to request the cash option.
Lotto 47 game drawings are every Wednesday and Saturday evening at 7:29 pm. Players can purchase tickets until 7:08 pm on the day of the drawing.
