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Michigan Man $1 M Lottery: Real Winners, Winning Numbers, and How They Did It
“Michigan Man $1 M Lottery” keeps dominating headlines in 2026 as players across the state continue turning small lottery purchases into life-changing payouts. From Powerball jackpots to Millionaire Raffle drawings and instant scratch-off games, Michigan residents are winning seven-figure prizes at gas stations, online lottery accounts, and convenience stores every month.
What makes these stories so popular is how ordinary the winners are. A longtime weekly player from Lapeer County, an anonymous Muskegon County player, and a Fraser man using lucky numbers from a decades-old Zoltar machine all became millionaires almost overnight.
This complete 2026 guide covers the biggest Michigan $1 million lottery winners, the winning numbers they used, how they discovered their prizes, and what they plan to do with the money.
Roger Roy of Ortonville Wins $1 Million Powerball
Michigan Man $1 M Lottery
One of the most talked-about Michigan lottery stories involved Roger Roy, a 61-year-old man from Ortonville, who won $1 million playing Powerball after the April 29, 2025 drawing.
Roy didn’t buy his ticket at a store. Instead, he used the Michigan Lottery online subscription system, which automatically purchases tickets for future drawings. The morning after the drawing, he received an unusual email notification from the Michigan Lottery.
At first, he ignored it.
Roy later explained that the email looked different than normal, so he decided to wait until his wife came home before checking the account. When they finally logged in together that evening, they discovered he had matched all five white balls:
- 3
- 19
- 35
- 51
- 67
That combination secured a $1 million Powerball prize.
Roy described the experience by saying:
“All I could think was: ‘Is this a joke?’ It still feels unreal!”
Unlike some winners who immediately make luxury purchases, Roger Roy said he plans to use the money as a financial safety net. He and his wife intend to save most of the winnings while possibly enjoying something fun later.
His story also highlights how online lottery subscriptions are becoming increasingly popular in Michigan in 2026.
Muskegon County Man Wins $1 Million Twice
One of the wildest Michigan lottery stories in recent years involves a 47-year-old anonymous player from Muskegon County who won $1 million twice within just over a year.
The player claimed the top prize in the Millionaire Raffle drawing on March 26, 2026 after purchasing tickets through the Michigan Lottery website.
What shocked lottery officials even more was that the same man had already won half of a $733,968 Fantasy 5 jackpot in February 2025. His share totaled $366,984.
After receiving notification of the raffle win, the player initially believed the result was a mistake or technical issue.
He explained:
“I logged in the next day, and to my surprise, the $1 million prize was still pending in my account.”
The Millionaire Raffle was especially attractive because of its straightforward odds structure:
| Game Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Total Tickets Sold | 100,000 |
| Top Prize | $1 Million |
| Additional Winners | 100 prizes of $1,000 |
| Drawing Date | March 26, 2026 |
The winner said he plans to invest the money, showing how many modern lottery winners now focus on long-term financial security instead of quick spending.
Robert Benaglio Wins After 10 Years of Playing Powerball
Michigan Man $1 M Lottery
Persistence paid off for Robert Benaglio of Dryden in Lapeer County, who won a $1 million Powerball prize after playing consistently for a decade.
Benaglio purchased his ticket at the Metamora BP gas station in Metamora for the December 23, 2024 Powerball drawing. His numbers matched:
- 22
- 42
- 44
- 57
- 64
What makes his story fascinating is that he didn’t even realize he had won immediately. He only discovered the prize after scanning the ticket on New Year’s Eve.
Benaglio said:
“The only word I can use to describe the feeling of finding out you’ve won $1 million is shocking.”
His plans are practical and relatable:
- Pay off vehicles
- Take a vacation
- Save the remaining money
He also revealed something many regular lottery players understand perfectly:
“I still plan to continue my weekly ritual of buying a Powerball ticket. I get $2 worth of daydreaming out of it each week.”
That quote quickly became popular online because it perfectly captures why millions continue playing lottery games despite long odds.
Fraser Man Uses 30-Year-Old Zoltar Numbers to Win
Perhaps the most unusual story belongs to Stephen Huesgen, a 56-year-old man from Fraser, Michigan.
Huesgen won $1 million in the April 22, 2025 Powerball drawing using lucky numbers he got from a Zoltar fortune-teller machine in Las Vegas nearly 30 years ago.
The numbers matched:
- 24
- 29
- 32
- 49
- 63
According to Huesgen, he received a paper fortune containing lucky numbers decades earlier and had been using those same numbers ever since.
The morning after the drawing, he received an email from the Michigan Lottery and immediately shouted:
“Is this real?”
Huesgen plans to:
- Pay off his house
- Eliminate car debt
- Take a vacation
- Save the rest for retirement
Stories like this help fuel the mythology around lottery superstition and lucky-number traditions.
Scratch-Off Tickets Create More Michigan Millionaires
While Powerball gets most headlines, instant scratch-off games are also producing major winners across Michigan.
Kent County – Electric 100s Winner
A 31-year-old anonymous player from Kent County became a millionaire after stopping at a Wesco gas station in Cedar Springs late one evening.
After cashing a small $20 prize, he bought an Electric 100s scratch-off ticket.
When he scratched it inside the store and realized he won $1 million, he said:
“I started screaming! It’s a good thing no one else was in the store.”
He selected the $693,000 lump sum payout and plans to:
- Buy a new car
- Save the remaining funds
Saginaw County – Epic Wild Time Winner
A 27-year-old player from Saginaw County won $1 million playing Epic Wild Time after buying a ticket at Express Stop in Saginaw.
He scratched the ticket inside his car and instantly realized he had become a millionaire.
The player said:
“This prize will allow me to build a better future for myself.”
He also selected the lump-sum option and plans to:
- Purchase a car
- Share money with family members
Since launching in September 2025, Epic Wild Time players have won more than $22 million statewide.
How Michigan Lottery Players Win $1 Million
Michigan offers several paths to becoming a millionaire through lottery games.
Powerball Basics
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Ticket Cost | $2 |
| Power Play Add-On | +$1 |
| Jackpot Odds | 1 in 292.2 million |
| Match 5 White Balls Prize | $1 Million |
| Match 5 + Power Play | $2 Million |
Popular Michigan Instant Games
- Electric 100s
- Epic Wild Time
- $2,000,000 Bonus Scratch Multiplier
- Millionaire Raffle
In 2025 alone, Michigan Lottery players reportedly won more than $1.7 billion playing instant games.
Most winners choose the lump sum option, which is generally around:
- $693,000 after withholding for a $1 million prize
- Larger payouts for multi-million-dollar scratch games
What Most Michigan Million-Dollar Winners Do Next
Despite dramatic headlines, most Michigan lottery millionaires follow surprisingly similar patterns.
1. Save or Invest
Many winners focus on long-term security:
- Roger Roy plans to save his winnings
- The Muskegon County player plans to invest
- Benaglio intends to save after paying bills
2. Pay Off Debt
Mortgage and vehicle payments are among the first expenses winners eliminate.
3. Enjoy Life Carefully
Vacations, cars, and helping family remain common goals, but most winners avoid reckless spending.
4. Continue Playing
Many winners actually keep buying lottery tickets after winning.
Michigan retailers also benefit heavily. In 2024, lottery retailers reportedly earned more than $348 million in commissions from ticket sales.
Final Thoughts on Michigan’s $1 Million Lottery Winners in 2026
The biggest lesson from Michigan’s latest lottery millionaires is that there’s no single formula for winning.
Some players:
- Used the same numbers for decades
- Played weekly for years
- Bought random scratch-offs late at night
- Used online subscriptions
- Entered specialty raffle games
What connects them is the moment of disbelief when ordinary life suddenly changes forever.
From Roger Roy in Ortonville to the anonymous Muskegon County double winner, Michigan’s 2026 lottery stories continue proving why Powerball and scratch-off games remain hugely popular across the state.
For players dreaming about their own million-dollar moment, these winners offer one consistent message: sometimes all it takes is one ticket.