MI Lottery Group Claims Record-Breaking $842M Powerball Prize

GRAND BLANC, MI — A Mid-Michigan lottery club, who call themselves "The Breakfast Club," has claimed an $842.4 million jackpot, the state's largest ever Powerball prize, according to the Michigan Lottery.

The group bought the winning ticket, which matched all the numbers drawn on Jan. 1 (12-21-42-44-49, PB: 01), at the Food Castle of Grand Blanc, located at 3035 East Grand Blanc Road in Grand Blanc, according to lottery officials.

The group's attorney and representative, Mark K. Harder, said this was a first-time large jackpot for the other two members of the lottery club, who typically buy Powerball tickets when the jackpot gets to be hundreds of millions, according to lottery officials.

The morning after the drawing, a club member saw on the news and on social media that the jackpot-winning ticket had been sold at the Food Castle of Grand Blanc and went to check the numbers on his cell phone, according to lottery officials.

When he realized he held the winning ticket, he was so excited he dropped his phone, but he and his wife still went to their respective jobs, according to lottery officials.

"As you can imagine, the club members have felt so many emotions since realizing their ticket was ‘the one.’ They’ve been elated and overwhelmed, thrilled, and nervous. They’ve gone from shock and sleepless nights to giving careful thought as to how this once-in-a-lifetime event will transform their lives," Harder said.

The group chose to receive its prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $425 million rather than annuity payments for the full amount, according to lottery officials.

With their winnings, they plan to retire earlier than expected, travel and to share their good fortune with their immediate family and nonprofits close to their hearts, according to lottery officials.

"This prize will positively affect our family for generations to come," a club member said. "Up until now, we have led a comfortable life and anticipated retiring someday. Now, we’re not financially bound to a specific timetable. The world — and our opportunities — have opened up in some incredible ways. This has been life changing for us."

For selling the winning ticket, Food Castle of Grand Blanc received a $50,000 bonus commission.

"Selling the winning Powerball ticket has been great for our business," Food Castle of Grand Blanc Owner Bill Nannoshi said. "We are going to donate every penny of the $50,000 to our employees and community."

The $842.4 million jackpot is the largest Powerball prize ever won in Michigan, and the second-largest lottery prize ever won in Michigan.