The hits keep coming for Michiganders playing Michigan Lottery and multistate draw games. The latest, a Michigan Powerball winner, recently got an enormous windfall thanks to the purchase of a single ticket.
The winner matched all five numbers in a recent drawing, missing out on the jackpot but still collecting on a sweet $2 million (pre-tax) prize thanks to the multiplier. The win is making the player’s dreams of a new home a reality.
Michigan Powerball winner recounts his good fortune
Didier Biongo, 52, of Taylor, purchased his ticket at the Mobil on Pelham Rd. The numbers on the ticket (save the PowerBall) matched the Sept. 29 drawing of 02-07-11-17-32. The Power Play multiplier for the drawing was 2X, and he opted for it.
Thus, Biongo’s ticket was worth $2 million instead of just one. He claimed his prize last week and told his story.
“I like the Powerball game and play it frequently,” Biongo said, per a Michigan Lottery news release. “I checked my ticket at a retailer a few days after the drawing and got a message to visit a claim center, so I checked the winning numbers.
“When I saw I had matched five numbers and won $2 million, I didn’t believe it. I scanned my ticket at least 10 more times to be sure I had actually won. Being from Africa originally, winning feels like I am truly living the American dream. It’s a dream come true.”
Of course, Biongo just missed out on the jackpot because the Powerball didn’t match. He isn’t the biggest winner of a Multi-State Lottery Association game from MI this year. To much acclaim, a lottery group won a Mega Millions jackpot worth over $1 billion before taxes in January.
Biongo’s win is less remarkable in that context, but still significant. For others like him in the future, there are some best practices to consider.
What to do if your lottery jackpot dream comes true
Whether you’re a frequent lottery player like Biongo or even if you pick and choose your spots with more discretion, a big win like this can be a life-changing moment. There are ways to make sure that’s a change for the better and not for the worse.
After you discover your win, secure your ticket if it’s a physical ticket. In MI, players can also buy tickets for draw-style games online. If that’s the case, secure all emails relevant to that transaction.
Then, contact both an attorney and financial professional. Their expertise will allow you to protect your identity, shelter your winnings from taxes and ensure that your windfall grows with time.
Finally, when you have a plan together with those experts, contact the MI Lottery and set up an appointment to claim your prize. Then, you’ll be on your way to enjoy your winnings with a new home like Biongo (or whatever your plan includes).
