A St. Clair County man is heading to Europe after winning $1 million from the Michigan Lottery playing the Mega Millions game.
“I usually play Lottery games a couple of times a week,” said Ernest Rust. “Early last month, I decided to play Mega Millions and bought an easy pick ticket. After the drawing, I checked my ticket on the Lottery app and thought: ‘Am I looking at this wrong?’
“After I convinced myself that I was looking at the screen correctly, I told my wife, and it took her a little while to believe that I was telling the truth.”
“Mega Millions gives Michiganders the chance to win eye-popping jackpots and other life-changing prizes,” said Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli. “Congratulations to Ernest Nest who became the first player to win $1 million from the Michigan Lottery in 2025!”
Rust, 66, matched the five white balls in the Jan. 7 Mega Millions drawing to win $1 million: 20-24-33-39-48. He bought his winning ticket at the Shell gas station, located at 37820 Green Street in New Baltimore.
Rust recently visited Lottery headquarters to claim the big prize. With his winnings, he plans to take a European river cruise and use the remainder to supplement his retirement.
“Every time I buy a ticket, I imagine winning big, but I never thought I would actually be one of the people you read about. To be sitting here claiming $1 million is just staggering,” Rust said.
