Man wins record-setting lottery prize in Michigan. ‘Never seen this much money at once’

The winner of a record-setting lottery jackpot in Michigan usually plays Club Keno The Jack when the big prize reaches about $100,000.

That strategy worked a few years ago, when Dan Housler won $239,074 while playing Club Keno, according to an Aug. 11 news release from the Michigan Lottery.

During the Aug. 2 drawing, the 62-year-old Portage man once again matched eight of the winning numbers, officials said. This meant he won “The Jack” for a second time.

This time, he had won $503,254, according to Michigan Lottery officials.

“I was so surprised,” Housler said when claiming his big win. “I’ve never seen this much money at once in my life!”

The last Club Keno The Jack record was set in October 2020, when someone won a $463,361 prize, according to the release.

“The Jack is a Club Keno add-on game that players may add to their Club Keno wager for as little as $1 per draw,” officials said. “With The Jack, players get eight easy pick numbers to match to the Club Keno numbers drawn. Players may win prizes ranging from $1 to the jackpot. The jackpot starts at $10,000 and grows until it is won. To win the jackpot, players must match all eight numbers.”

Housler bought his winning ticket at Fletcher’s Pub in Kalamazoo, about 50 miles south of Grand Rapids.

“Winning this at my age means I can pay some bills and set myself up for a comfortable retirement,” Housler told lottery officials.

This story was originally published August 11, 2023 at 10:25 AM with the headline "Man wins record-setting lottery prize in Michigan. ‘Never seen this much money at once’."