Lottery introduces new validation codes for instants
by Acting Commissioner Jim Kipp

Just a reminder that beginning September 2, the Lottery is giving Daily 3 game players a second opportunity to win on the same Daily 3 ticket. The Daily 3 Red Ball Double Draw promotion will run from September 2 through September 21, 2002.

After each regular Daily 3 evening drawing (Monday through Saturday) during the promotion, the Lottery will conduct another drawing using a separate machine that contains five white balls and one Red Ball. When the Red Ball is drawn, the Lottery will then draw a second set of Daily 3 numbers, giving players a second chance to win on the same ticket.

Prize amounts for the Red Ball Double Draws are the same as for the regular drawings.

When a white ball is drawn, it will be taken out of the machine and set aside—resulting in one less white ball to draw from the next night and increasing the chance of drawing the Red Ball. Double Draws will not occur on nights when a white ball is drawn.

Whenever the Red Ball is drawn, all of the balls will be returned to the machine for the next drawing. It is guaranteed that at least three Red Ball Double Draws will occur during the promotion, and players can watch the drawings live every evening at 7:28 p.m. on their local Lottery network television station.

With all of the additional winners that will be generated, your sales will be sure to rise as players wait for the Red Ball to fall.

Free Instant
In February and April of this year, Lottery players throughout the state redeemed special promotional Lottery coupons that offered one free $2 instant game ticket with the purchase of any $5 instant game. Those coupons were distributed via select home-delivered newspapers, and they were a huge hit with your customers.

Due to the huge success of the first two instant ticket coupon promotions, the Lottery has chosen to distribute another “Buy a $5 Instant Ticket, Get a $2 Instant Ticket Free” coupon on September 15 in more than 1.6 million home-delivered newspapers across the state. Coupons expire October 13, 2002, and must be validated by October 27.

The redemption method on the new coupon is exactly the same as it was for the first coupon. When a customer comes into your store, makes a $5 instant game purchase and presents a valid coupon, all you need to do is give them the $2 instant game ticket of their choice.
Simply scan the barcode on the coupon at the time of purchase, then enter the underlined five-digit number from the coupon through your terminal. You do not need to turn the coupons in to the Lottery. Instead, handle the coupons as you would a validated instant game ticket. You will receive a 2-percent cashing commission on each coupon you take in.

$2,000,000 Celebration
The brand-new $20 “$2,000,000 Celebration” instant game, which goes on sale September 5, is different than any Michigan Lottery instant game to date.

More than 2,000 prizes of $1,000 will be awarded, offering players terrific odds of 1 in 852 to win that prize. Instant prizes ranging from $20 to $540 will also be available and may be paid by any Lottery retailer (approximate overall odds of winning a cash prize are 1 in 2.25).

When winners of $1,000 prizes redeem their tickets at a Michigan Lottery regional office or bank claim center, their tickets will be entered in a drawing for the $2 million grand prize, which will be conducted on January 31, 2003.
Validation Codes

All instant ticket games released after October 1, 2002 will feature new sight validation codes. The first game to incorporate the new codes will be “Super 6’s,” which launches on October 3.

Many players are familiar with the current validation code system and they often try to play the games using only the codes—sometimes throwing away winning tickets. The new three-character codes are designed to alleviate this situation. Keep in mind that, for awhile, both sets of codes will be in circulation at the same time.

Welcome Washington
Mega Millions will become even bigger this September, as Washington state joins the group. Mega Millions tickets will be available in Washington beginning September 4, and the first drawing to include Washington will be conducted on September 6.

Washington will make Mega Millions a 10-state game, with a potential for even larger jackpots and increased ticket sales. However, the addition of Washington will not affect the prize levels, price of tickets or game matrix.

Unclaimed Prizes
One $150,000 Big Game prize still remains 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.

The current unclaimed lottery ticket was a Big Game ticket bought on October 12, 2001 from 7-Eleven #32618 in Warren. The winning numbers were 04-12-17-22-49, Gold Ball 22, (match first five) for a prize of $150,000.

New Instants
Summer may be winding down, but the new Michigan Lottery instant games are sure to be hot sellers throughout the fall season.

On September 5, winning will be easy when the $1 “Easy 8’s” goes on sale, offering a $1,000 top prize. Also on September 5, players will have a chance to win a $2 million top prize—and more than 2,000 prizes of $1,000—with the $20 “$2,000,000 Celebration” game.
“Close To Home,” a $2 game with a $25,000 top prize, features 25 different cartoon scenes and will be available on September 12.

Football season will be well underway when the $5 “Sports Spectacular” game goes on sale September 19, offering sports fans a chance to win a $300,000 top prize.

Finally, the $2 “Spooky Loot” game will be available September 26, giving players a chance to win a $31,000 top prize.

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