Four co-workers started a lottery club 14 years ago. It just paid off big in Michigan

About 14 years ago, Fredrick Richardson Jr. started a Michigan lottery club with three of his co-workers.

“And we have been playing together ever since,” Richardson told Michigan lottery officials. “One club member buys tickets to cover drawings for an entire month and then lets the other club members know if we win anything.”

Their loyalty and commitment have paid off big, according to a Nov. 6 news release from the Michigan Lottery.

Following the Oct. 4 Powerball drawing, one of the “Blessed lottery club” members sent Richardson a photo of their winning ticket, according to the release. The member said they had won a $100,000 prize.

“But I didn’t think it was real at first,” Richardson said. “Once I looked up the winning numbers, I realized we really did win!”

The Calhoun County club had matched four of the white balls and the Powerball during the evening drawing, officials said, which qualified them for a $50,000 prize. But because they added the Power Play option, their prize was multiplied by two.

“We all feel so blessed,” Richardson said when the club claimed their winnings. “It hasn’t sunk in for any of us quite yet, but once the money is in the bank, I think it will start to feel real.”

The members plan to pay bills and save, according to the release.

In Michigan, groups of at least two people can start a lottery club and play games as a group.

“If the club wins a prize, it is divided among the club members,” officials said. “It is up to the lottery club to determine its rules of operation, including the distribution of prize money to members.”

The winning ticket was sold by Wyoming Gas and More in Detroit.

This story was originally published November 6, 2023 at 1:06 PM with the headline "Four co-workers started a lottery club 14 years ago. It just paid off big in Michigan."