Lottery numbers ‘finally paid off’ for 67-year-old man who has played game for years

“It’s about time!”

That’s what Steven Frederick said he shouted when he realized he had won $25,000 a year for life, according to a June 29 news release from the Michigan Lottery.

Frederick, of Belmont, said he has played Lucky For Life “for several years” — and he uses the same set of special numbers: 10-17-26-28-30.

Those numbers were finally drawn during the $2 game’s June 20 drawing, lottery officials said. He realized he won when checking his numbers online the next morning.

“When I showed my wife how much we’d won, she also started hollering with excitement,” the 67-year-old from Kent County said when claiming his prize. “I have been playing these numbers for years, and I am thrilled they finally paid off!”

Frederick was given two options: “$25,000 a year for 20 years or life, whichever is greater,” or a one-time payment of $390,000.

He chose the lump sum, officials said, and plans to buy a home.

Belmont is 12 miles north of downtown Grand Rapids.

This story was originally published June 29, 2023 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Lottery numbers ‘finally paid off’ for 67-year-old man who has played game for years."