Florida man lands $358,104 Michigan lottery win on family visit

An anonymous 75-year-old Florida man has a $358,104 Michigan Lottery win to show for a family visit. The player bought a Fantasy 5 ticket while he and his wife were in Michigan visiting relatives, according to the Michigan Lottery.

The ticket matched all five numbers drawn on June 24: 03, 12, 17, 23 and 27. It was purchased at the Wesco gas station at 3090 Colby Road in Whitehall, about 20 miles northwest of Muskegon, the Lottery said.

The winner chose to remain anonymous and has since claimed the jackpot at Lottery headquarters, according to the agency.

Where was the winning Michigan Fantasy 5 ticket sold?

The winning ticket came from the Wesco gas station on Colby Road in Whitehall. The man said his trips to Michigan are frequent because the couple has family in the state, and that he resumes playing his Fantasy 5 numbers during those visits.

He checked the ticket by scanning it with the Michigan Lottery app after the June 24 draw, he told the Lottery. He said he called out to his wife when he saw the result, and the pair cried and stayed awake because they were too excited to sleep.

What does the winner plan to do with the prize?

The winner said the money is intended for bills and a Michigan house. He said the couple hopes to relocate nearer to their family and become debt-free.

Those are future plans, rather than completed moves or purchases. UPI also reported that the winner said the prize would help pay bills and buy a home in Michigan.

How does Michigan Lottery Fantasy 5 work?

Fantasy 5 is a daily Michigan Lottery game in which players pick five numbers from 1 through 39. Matching all five numbers drawn wins the jackpot, which starts at $100,000, according to the Michigan Lottery.

A standard play costs $1. Drawings are held every day at 7:29 p.m., and the Lottery says tickets can be bought at retailers or online until 7:08 p.m. on the day of the draw.

This story draws on original reporting from UPI.