Michigan Lottery Winner Claims $1 Million After Forgetting Powerball Ticket in Wallet for Two Months
Michael Vander Lugt from Wyoming, Michigan had forgotten a Powerball ticket in his wallet. Nearly two months later he matched the August 8 numbers 5, 9, 35, 54, and 63 plus the red Powerball 7 for a $1 million Match 5 prize after the top prize stood at $864 million. Many lottery operators provide winning players with up to a year to claim their prize.
SCCG Take — This story signals to operators that player education on ticket checks can reduce unclaimed prizes, while flexible claim windows maintain trust without operational strain.
A Michigan Lottery player recently claimed a $1 million prize after the winning ticket sat unnoticed in his wallet for nearly two months.
Michael Vander Lugt of Wyoming, Michigan, bought a Powerball ticket for the drawing on August 8. The numbers were 5, 9, 35, 54, 63 plus Powerball 7. Vander Lugt matched all five white balls but missed the $864 million jackpot, securing the Match 5 prize instead.
The ticket had been sold at Big Top Market, 3630 Clyde Park Ave. SW in Wyoming. Vander Lugt found it when a store clerk refused one of several tickets as payment for a drink and directed him to file a claim at the lottery office. Checking the results in his car, he realized the ticket's value.
As reported by GamblingNews, the Kent County resident was stunned upon discovery.
"I recognized the numbers as soon as I saw them and started freaking out! I can’t believe I had this ticket in my wallet for nearly two months not knowing it was worth $1 million," Vander Lugt said.
He plans to use the winnings to pay off his mortgage and invest.
In other recent Michigan Lottery activity, the October 19 Powerball drawing produced another $1 million Match 5 winner.
The Player Had Forgotten About the Ticket
Vander Lugt had purchased the ticket and set it aside without further thought. Many lottery operators provide winning players with up to a year to claim their prize. While most people collect winnings right away, sometimes prizes are claimed months later. There is usually a good reason, and in this instance it was that the ticket had been forgotten in his wallet.
Vander Lugt Couldn’t Believe His Luck
The Michigan Lottery interviewed the winner, who expressed disbelief at carrying a seven-figure ticket for so long. The episode aligns with occasional delayed claims seen across lottery operations, where players may overlook tickets until prompted by chance events like a routine purchase.
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