Lottery honors two dozen 'Million-Dollar Retailers'
by Acting Commissioner Jim Kipp

When the Daily 3 & 4 EXTRA game was introduced on May 16, the Lottery was hopeful it would be popular with players. At the time this was written, after just two weeks of EXTRA sales, it is clear that EXTRA is a big hit with Daily game players.

Through June 5, EXTRA sales have totaled $4.11 million, roughly 10 percent of all Daily game sales. Compared to the same period last year, sales for the Daily games themselves have increased $1.95 million - or seven percent.

Since the Daily games comprise roughly 43 percent of the Lottery’s total ticket sales each year, the new EXTRA game is expected to play a prominent role in increasing revenue in 2002. Lottery staff members have already received many favorable comments about the EXTRA game.

I encourage you to keep your customers informed about how to play the game and be sure to “ask for the sale.”

Harley Update
On April 11, the $3 ”Harley-Davidson®” instant game was brought back to stores, offering players another round of chances to win great instant cash prizes and Harley-Davidson® motorcycles.

In addition to the instant game prizes, the Lottery is conducting four second-chance bonus drawings. In the first bonus drawing, conducted May 10, Greg Jozel of Lake Orion rode away with the grand prize, a Harley-Davidson® Sportster 1200 Custom motorcycle, while Ralph Bridges of Warren followed suit, winning the grand prize motorcycle in the May 31 drawing.

At press time, the July 12 drawing had not yet taken place, and the final bonus drawing will be conducted on August 23.

To date, Christian Remington of Bath is the only player to instantly win a Harley-Davidson® Sportster 1200 Custom motorcycle by scratching a lucky “Harley-Davidson®” instant ticket. That means five lucky instant-win motorcycle tickets are still out there. Additionally, two $50,000 prizes remain unclaimed.

This game is very popular with players thanks to your dedication to displaying “Harley-Davidson®” point-of-sale materials in your store. Your efforts to inform players about this game are greatly appreciated.

$1 Million Retailers
I am proud to announce that the following Michigan Lottery retailers met or exceeded $1 million in Lottery sales in Fiscal 2001. Congratulations to all of you on a job well-done:
Abbey Wine & Liquor Shop,
Southfield
Action Liquor Shop, Warren
Angelos Food Specialties,
Benton Harbor
Barrel & Bottle Party Store, Detroit
Boulevard Food Center, Detroit
Cherry Belt Party Store, Inkster
College Liquor Shoppe, Detroit
Cox Beer Store, Temperance
Ellas Grocery, Erie
Glass Bottle Shoppe, Detroit
Livernois McGraw Party Store,
Detroit
Meijer #123, Southgate
MGM Food Center, Detroit
New Northend Market, Oak Park
New Super Fair Foods, Detroit
Oak Liquor and Wine, Oak Park
Paper Palace Bookstore,
Hamtramck
Sax Discount, Taylor
Shoppers Market Centerline,
Center Line
Shoppers Market, Warren
Smokers Best Buy, Oak Park
Stop N Shop, Saginaw
Toma Foods, Dearborn
Winners Square, Hamtramck

Unclaimed Prizes
In addition to all the big winners this month at the Lottery, unfortunately, a number of prizes currently remain unclaimed.

If your store has sold a top-prize winning ticket that still has not been claimed by its rightful owner, be sure and remind your customers to check their tickets, as any one of them could have a winner and not realize it. All unclaimed prizes revert to the state School Aid Fund after one year from the draw date.

Unclaimed Lottery top prizes of $150,000 include The Big Game tickets sold on April 9, 2002, at Mid-Van Petro Mart in Romulus; March 22, 2002, at Flaming Market, Flint; and October 12, 2001, at 7-Eleven #32618, Warren.

New Instants
Customers will have five more reasons to visit your stores this July and August, when our newest instant games debut.

On July 11, the $3 ”Battleship” instant ticket will be available, offering a $50,000 top prize. “’50’s Fever,” a $1 ticket with a $500 top prize (and nearly 7,000 prizes of $50), will hit ticket counters statewide on July 18. Your customers are sure to win big when playing the $10 “Big Money Action” game, offering a $1 million top prize, available July 25.

On August 1, bingo buffs will rejoice when the $2 “Bingo Nut” goes on sale, offering a $30,000 top prize. Also on August 1, as summer really heats up, the $1 “Hot Diggity Dollars” will be available, giving players a chance to win a $4,000 top prize.

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