A 73-year-old Michigan man won a record $32.91 million Lotto 47 jackpot using the same numbers he played for 20 years, then chose a lump-sum payout and a practical first purchase: new shoes.

For 20 years, one man in Michigan did the same small thing over and over again. He played the same Lotto 47 numbers. No tweaks. No replacements. Just consistency, week after week.

In December, that long habit finally lined up with the draw. The result was a record Lotto 47 jackpot: $32.91 million, the largest prize in the game’s history.

Two decades of routine, one unexpected outcome

The winner is a 73-year-old Michigan resident who chose to remain anonymous when claiming the prize. He matched all six numbers in the Lotto 47 drawing on December 13, 2025: 2, 3, 12, 15, 16, and 33.

The moment he checked his ticket started out ordinary. At first, he saw he matched three numbers and assumed he had won $5. Then he noticed the rest of the numbers matched, too.

“I have been playing Lotto 47 for 20 years, and I've always played the same sets of numbers. When I checked my ticket, I saw right away I matched three numbers and thought: ‘At least I got $5 back.’ When I saw I matched the rest of the numbers, I rubbed my eyes and checked my ticket again because I couldn't believe what I was seeing!”

Where the ticket was purchased

He purchased the winning ticket at Wild Bills Tobacco on Gratiot Avenue in Chesterfield, about 45 minutes from Detroit by car.

After realizing he had won, he called his children. They didn’t believe him at first and came to see the ticket in person.

“I called my kids and told them, but they didn't believe me and had to come see the ticket for themselves. We were so excited! You never expect to win a prize like this, so it still hasn't fully sunk in.”

Lump sum choice and practical plans

After claiming the prize at lottery headquarters in Lansing, he chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of about $22.8 million rather than take annuity payments for the full amount.

His plans for the prize are simple: a new pair of shoes, a new car, and sharing with family.

“Honestly, the first thing on my list is just treating myself to a new pair of shoes. I also plan to share some of my winnings with my family and get a new car.”

A new record for Lotto 47

This $32.91 million jackpot surpasses the previous Lotto 47 record of $32.3 million, which was split by two winning tickets in November 2020: one purchased in Ferndale and the other in Lake Odessa.

Game details and next drawing

For an additional $1, players can add the Double Play option, which gives a second chance to win up to $1.5 million in a nightly Double Play drawing using the same set of numbers. Players can also add the EZMatch feature for an additional $1, which offers an instant chance to win up to $500.

The Lotto 47 jackpot currently stands at $1.7 million for the next drawing on Wednesday, January 14. Lotto 47 drawings take place every Wednesday and Saturday at 7:29 p.m. Eastern Time. Tickets cost $1 each.

Winning numbers, prizes, and odds are typically published shortly after each drawing by Michigan Lottery results providers.