The number 13 is definitely lucky for the members of the Lucky 13 Lotto Club, which won $1 million from the Michigan Lottery playing the Mega Millions game.
The club won $1 million in Tuesday’s drawing by matching the five white balls drawn: 12-20-25-50-51. The club’s ticket had a Mega Ball number of 14. If it had matched the Mega Ball number drawn – 07 – the club members would have won the game’s $246 million jackpot. The club bought its lucky ticket at the Eagles Market, located at 501 West Cross Street in Ypsilanti.
“We’ve been playing the Lottery together for a long time and have dreamed of winning,” said the club’s representative, who declined to be identified. “To win a big prize is exciting for all of us, and being just one number away from winning the jackpot, I know we’ll keep dreaming and playing.”
Twelve of the club’s 13 members visited Lottery headquarters Thursday to claim the big prize. Club members have many plans for their winnings, including: purchasing new vehicles, making home improvements, and investing for retirement.
Friday’s $270 million jackpot is the Mega Millions third-largest in the past 12 months. In March 2014, two lucky players from Florida and Maryland split a $414 million jackpot. The cash option for Friday’s jackpot is about $177 million.
If a Michigan Lottery player wins the $270 million jackpot, it would be the largest Mega Millions jackpot ever won in the state. On April 22, 2005, a Port Huron couple, Ralph and Mary Stebbins, won $208 million.
In 2014, four Michigan Lottery players each won $1 million playing Mega Millions. That includes a player who won $1 million in the Aug. 5 drawing and has yet to claim the big prize. That winning ticket was sold at the CVS Pharmacy, located at 727 28th Street Southeast in Grand Rapids.
The $1 million winner from the Aug. 5 Mega Millions drawing should contact the Michigan Lottery Public Relations Division at (517) 373-1237 to schedule an appointment to collect their big prize. The prize must be claimed at the Lottery’s headquarters in Lansing. Tickets for Mega Millions are valid for one year from the drawing date.
Mega Millions drawings take place each Tuesday and Friday evening. Each Mega Millions play is only $1. For an additional $1 per play, players have the opportunity to add a “Megaplier” that can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to five times.
Mega Millions tickets for Friday’s drawing may be purchased at the Lottery’s 11,000 retailers around the state until 10:45 p.m.