Washtenaw County man wins $2M Mega Millions jackpot playing numbers he’s used for years
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LANSING, MI -- Jeffrey Phillips knew the numbers he was looking at were familiar, but it took him a second to realize just how familiar they were. As Phillips was reading over the winning Mega Millions numbers for the drawing held on Nov. 26, he finally realized why the first five numbers seemed like something he’d seen before.
“I play the Mega Millions game weekly and have been playing the same set of numbers for years,” said the 62-year-old Phillips. “The Sunday after the drawing, I checked the winning numbers online and started writing them down. After the first few numbers, I thought: ‘Wait a minute, these numbers are familiar.’
“When I realized what I had won, I called for my wife to have her come look the ticket over. We were both in shock, and it still hasn’t sunk in yet!”
Phillips matched all five white numbers drawn -- 07-27-37-42-59 -- to win a $1 million jackpot. He’d also elected to play the Megaplier game, which meant that prize was increased to $2 million. Phillips bought his winning ticket at Polly’s Country Market, located at 1255 South Main Street in Chelsea.
Phillips visited lottery headquarters in Lansing recently to claim his prize. He plans on using the money to buy a new house and a new car.
“I can’t comprehend the feeling of winning or put it in to words,” Phillips said. “It still doesn’t feel like this is real.”
For the latest on Michigan Lottery, check out the official Michigan Lottery site, which also offers more information on instant tickets, raffles and other lottery games.
The last players from Michigan to win a Mega Millions or Powerball jackpot is the Wolverine FLL lottery club which claimed a $1.05 billion jackpot in March. With their winnings, the group plans to give back to the community.
And while they were lucky winners, it’s smart for players to check their tickets immediately as a winner worth $1 million sold in Hartland in 2019 went unclaimed. The ticket was purchased at the Speedway in Hartland, but the winner never came forward to claim the prize. The money instead went to the state’s School Aid Fund.
If you’d like to be the next player from Michigan to win a huge lottery prize, take a look at these tips from lottery expert Richard Lustig. The author of “Learn How To Increase Your Chances Of Winning The Lottery” has won more than $1 million in Florida by winning top jackpot prizes in smaller games.
