Quick answer: Two Michigan residents won $1 million lottery prizes in early 2026. Stephen Huesgen, 56, of Fraser matched five Powerball white balls on April 22, 2026, using numbers from a Zoltar fortune machine he consulted nearly 30 years ago. A 48-year-old Jackson County man won separately on the Millionaire Maker instant game after buying one ticket per week since the game launched.
| Quick Facts | Stephen Huesgen | Jackson County Man |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 56 | 48 |
| Location | Fraser, MI | Jackson County, MI |
| Game | Powerball | Millionaire Maker (instant) |
| Win Date | April 22, 2026 | Reported March 5, 2026 |
| Prize | $1 million | $1 million |
| Ticket Purchased | Online at MichiganLottery.com | Lakeside Convenience Store, Michigan Center |
| Payout | Not specified | Lump sum: $693,000 |
| Plans | Pay off house and car, vacation, retirement savings | Retirement savings |
| Source | Michigan Lottery Connect | WILX News 10 |
Some lottery winners have a system. Others just get lucky. And then there’s Stephen Huesgen — a 56-year-old man from Fraser, Michigan, whose winning Powerball numbers came from a Zoltar fortune machine he visited in Las Vegas roughly three decades ago.
You really can’t make this stuff up.
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2026 has already proven to be a remarkable year for Michigan lottery players, with at least two separate residents walking away with $1 million prizes. Their stories couldn’t be more different — one won playing Powerball online from the comfort of his home, the other scratched his way to a million after buying the same instant ticket, week after week, since the game first launched. Both outcomes? Absolutely life-changing.
Source: Michigan Lottery (Official)
What Happened
Stephen Huesgen’s Powerball Win (Fraser, MI)
Stephen Huesgen, 56, of Fraser matched all five white balls in the April 22, 2026 Powerball drawing — 24, 29, 32, 49, and 63 — to claim a $1 million prize. He purchased his ticket online through MichiganLottery.com, meaning he was sitting at home when fate came calling.
What makes his story particularly charming? Those numbers weren’t chosen at random, and they certainly weren’t computer-generated. Stephen had been playing the same set of lucky numbers for nearly 30 years — numbers that came straight from a Zoltar fortune machine he visited in Las Vegas all those years ago. If you’ve ever seen the movie Big, you know the kind of machine we’re talking about. Apparently, Zoltar knows a thing or two about picking lottery numbers.
According to the Michigan Lottery, Huesgen plans to use his winnings to pay off his house and car, take a well-deserved vacation, and set aside money for retirement. Practical, grounded, and deeply satisfying — exactly what you’d hope to hear.
The Jackson County Millionaire Maker Win
The second winner, a 48-year-old man from Jackson County, chose to remain anonymous — which is entirely his right. What he did share, however, is a story of quiet, persistent determination.
According to WILX News 10 (March 5, 2026), the Jackson County man had been purchasing one Millionaire Maker instant ticket every single week since the game first launched. One ticket. Every week. No more, no less. That kind of steady commitment to a routine — even a lottery routine — is its own kind of discipline.
His ticket was purchased at Lakeside Convenience Store in Michigan Center. And when he finally scratched his way to the $1 million top prize, he opted for the lump-sum payment of $693,000. His plans? Save for retirement. Simple, smart, and sensible.
The Winning Moment
There’s something about the moment of realization that lottery winners always struggle to put into words. For Stephen Huesgen, playing online through MichiganLottery.com means he likely saw his winning numbers displayed on a screen — no ticket to scratch, no second-guessing whether he was reading it right. Just five matched numbers and a prize notification that changed everything.
For the Jackson County man, it was the slow, satisfying reveal of an instant scratch ticket. After buying one of those same tickets every week for however long the Millionaire Maker game had been running, the moment he uncovered the top prize had to feel surreal. All those weeks of “not this one” leading up to the one that was.
Timeline of Events
- Ongoing (game launch) — Jackson County man begins purchasing one Millionaire Maker ticket per week
- March 5, 2026 — WILX News 10 reports the Jackson County man’s $1 million Millionaire Maker win; he claims a lump-sum payout of $693,000
- April 22, 2026 — Stephen Huesgen of Fraser matches five Powerball white balls (24-29-32-49-63) in the evening drawing, winning $1 million; ticket was purchased online at MichiganLottery.com
- Post-win — Both winners connect with the Michigan Lottery to claim their prizes; Huesgen’s story is published through Michigan Lottery Connect
Official Statements
The Michigan Lottery confirmed Huesgen’s win through Michigan Lottery Connect, the lottery’s official news platform. Details of the Jackson County win were reported by WILX News 10 on March 5, 2026. Neither winner appears to have made additional public comments beyond what was reported through those official channels.
As of publication, no further statements from either winner or the Michigan Lottery have been confirmed. This article will be updated if additional information becomes available.
What Happens Next
For Stephen Huesgen, the path forward sounds refreshingly normal: a mortgage paid off, a car loan cleared, a vacation on the calendar, and a retirement fund that just got a whole lot more comfortable. For the Jackson County man, it’s similarly grounded — a $693,000 lump sum earmarked for retirement savings.
Neither winner appears to be planning anything extravagant, and honestly? That kind of financial clarity is inspiring. A million dollars can disappear quickly without a plan. Both of these winners seem to have one.
For Michigan lottery players watching from the sidelines, stories like these are a good reminder that the Michigan Lottery’s online platform (MichiganLottery.com) makes it possible to play Powerball and other draw games without leaving your home — which is exactly how Huesgen secured his winning ticket.
Two Winners, Two Very Different Paths to the Same Prize
What’s striking about both of these stories is how ordinary the lead-up was. Huesgen had been playing the same numbers for three decades. The Jackson County man bought one ticket a week, methodically, without fanfare. Neither of them was doing anything unusual. They were just doing what they always did — until the day everything changed.
Lottery wins are rare by definition, and neither of these stories should be read as a blueprint for financial planning. But as human stories go, they’re genuinely wonderful. A Zoltar machine from 30 years ago. A weekly scratch ticket ritual. A paid-off house. A retirement fund.
Sometimes the most extraordinary outcomes come from the most ordinary habits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Stephen Huesgen win $1 million in the Powerball?
Stephen Huesgen, 56, of Fraser, Michigan matched all five white balls — 24, 29, 32, 49, and 63 — in the April 22, 2026 Powerball drawing. He purchased his ticket online through MichiganLottery.com. Matching five white balls without the Powerball wins the $1 million second-tier prize.
Where did Stephen Huesgen’s winning lottery numbers come from?
Huesgen had been playing a set of numbers obtained from a Zoltar fortune machine he visited in Las Vegas approximately 30 years before his win. He played those same numbers consistently until they finally hit on April 22, 2026.
How much did the Jackson County Millionaire Maker winner actually receive?
The 48-year-old Jackson County man won the $1 million top prize on the Millionaire Maker instant game but chose the lump-sum payment option, receiving $693,000. Lump-sum payouts are typically less than the advertised prize amount due to tax withholding and present-value calculations.
Can you buy Powerball tickets online in Michigan?
Yes. Michigan residents can purchase Powerball tickets and other lottery games directly through MichiganLottery.com or the Michigan Lottery mobile app. You must be at least 18 years old and physically located in Michigan to make purchases.
Where was the winning Millionaire Maker ticket purchased?
The winning Millionaire Maker instant ticket was purchased at Lakeside Convenience Store in Michigan Center, Jackson County. The winner, who chose to remain anonymous, had been buying one Millionaire Maker ticket per week since the game launched, according to WILX News 10 (March 5, 2026).
What are the odds of winning $1 million in Powerball?
The odds of matching five white balls (without the Powerball) to win the $1 million second prize are approximately 1 in 11,688,054, according to Powerball’s official prize structure. The odds of winning the Millionaire Maker instant game top prize vary by game and are listed on the Michigan Lottery website
Emma Clarke is a content writer at Gaukurinn.is, specializing in celebrity news, pop culture, movies, and music. With a strong focus on accuracy and trending topics, she creates engaging and well-researched articles that keep readers informed and entertained.
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