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- calendar_today October 28, 2026
Kent County Resident Finds $1 Million Powerball Ticket
A Michigan man from Kent County was surprised to learn that a forgotten Powerball ticket in his wallet was actually a $1 million winner. The discovery came nearly two months after the Powerball drawing, thanks to the help of a cashier.
A Routine Purchase Leads to Major Discovery
Michael Vander Lugt, a 54-year-old resident of Wyoming, Michigan, had carried several old Powerball tickets in his wallet. When he stopped at a party store to buy a pop, he didn't have enough cash on hand. Instead of using his card, Vander Lugt offered a few Powerball tickets he believed had won small amounts.
According to the Michigan Lottery, the cashier scanned the tickets. To Vander Lugt’s astonishment, one ticket prompted a message instructing him to file a claim at the lottery office.
Matching the Winning Powerball Numbers
The winning ticket matched five white balls: 05, 09, 35, 54, and 63, from the August 8 Powerball drawing. Vander Lugt purchased the ticket at Big Top Market, located at 3630 Clyde Park Avenue Southwest in Wyoming, Michigan.
22She scanned each of the tickets and said one came back with a message to file a claim at the lottery office, so I looked up the winning numbers for that drawing when I got in my car," Vander Lugt said. "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."
Claiming the Lottery Winnings
Shortly after discovering his lottery ticket's worth, Vander Lugt visited Michigan Lottery headquarters to officially claim his $1 million prize. He shared intentions to use the lottery winnings to pay off his mortgage and invest for the future.
How the Powerball Game Works
The Powerball game costs $2 per play. Players choose five numbers between 1 and 69 and one red Powerball number from 1 to 26. Alternatively, numbers can be generated randomly with a Quick Pick. For an extra $1 per ticket, the Power Play feature can multiply eligible non-jackpot prizes up to 10 times, depending on the drawing multiplier. Powerball drawings occur every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Resources for Responsible Play
Players are reminded to play responsibly. Michigan provides a 24-hour, toll-free problem gambling helpline at 1-800-270-7117, with additional resources available at Michigan.gov/mgcb. The National Council on Problem Gambling also operates a 24/7 confidential helpline at 1-800-GAMBLER, offering referrals and support across all 50 states and U.S. territories. Peer support is available online at GetEvive.com/gamtalk.
Source: manisteenews.com.
