Two Michigan Lottery players just experienced something many people dream about.
Their stories—including first-time luck and a life-changing suggestion—might be inspirational to some.
We'll start with Donna Keathley, a 65-year-old from Evart, Michigan. She hit it big by playing Club Keno's add-on game, The Jack, for the first time. Keathley decided to try The Jack while visiting Murphy’s Bar in Barryton. Her easy pick numbers matched nine of the 20 Club Keno numbers drawn, landing her a $412,171 jackpot.
The Michigan Lottery posted a picture of her with an oversized check on its X account.
“Shortly after buying my ticket, I saw someone had won because the jackpot reset to $10,000.," Keathley said. "We were with a group of people, and they scanned their tickets first. I scanned mine last, and there it was – $412,171! It was shocking and pretty surreal because I’m usually not very lucky.”
Despite being a regular Club Keno player, Keathley had never added The Jack to her ticket before. The sizable jackpot convinced her to take a chance, resulting in an unforgettable moment when she realized her ticket was the big winner.
“At first, it was shocking and pretty surreal because I’m usually not very lucky,” Keathley added. With her newfound fortune, she plans to pay off bills and save the rest for future needs.
A Helpful Suggestion Leads to a $500,000 Win in the Upper Peninsula
In another part of Michigan, Amanda Hughes from Gwinn experienced her own thrill of victory.
When Hughes attempted to purchase her usual $20 Wild Time instant game ticket and found it sold out, a Kwik Trip store clerk recommended she try the 50X Wild Time instead.
This spur-of-the-moment decision led Hughes to a $500,000 jackpot victory.
Initially skeptical, Hughes double-checked the ticket and verified it in-store, confirming her life-changing win.
“When I scratched the ticket off and saw the prize of $500,000, I wasn’t sure if it was real at first," Hughes said. "I thought I must not have read the instructions correctly, so I reread them and then went back into the store to scan the ticket and have the clerk look at it. It was surreal when I realized I really had just won $500,000! I still can’t believe this is real! This money is going to be life-changing for my family.”
With her winnings, Hughes plans to purchase a home and set aside funds for her children's future.
Try Your Luck at an Online Casino
In states like Michigan, where online casinos are legal, many people are trying their luck from home. These online platforms offer lots of fun games that feel just like being in a real casino.
In states where online casinos aren't legal yet, a sweepstakes casino may be an option for you.
But it's important to gamble responsibly. Before you play, decide how much money you can afford to lose and don’t go over that limit. Also, set a time limit for how long you’ll play to avoid spending too much time gambling. Remember, gambling is just for fun — not a way to make money. If you ever feel like gambling is becoming a problem, reach out to support groups or hotlines for help. By keeping these tips in mind, you can enjoy the best online casinos safely.
