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Michigan retailer sells winning Mega Millions ticketby Commissioner Gary Peters
A lucky Michigan resident, In Ro, of Battle Creek, was
one of two people to match all six winning numbers in the November 11
drawing to win a share of the jackpot. He chose to take his winnings in a one-time, lump sum
payment for $13,333,333 (before taxes). In addition to the jackpot-winning ticket, two Michigan
Lottery retailers sold second-tier prizes of $175,000 for the November
11 Mega Millions drawing. Speedway #3558 in Hartford and Lee’s
Market in Newport each sold $175,000 winning tickets. Congratulations to all of our retailers. Your patience
and courtesy with customers are big reasons Lottery players keep coming
back. Thank you for a job well done. $10 instants thrive The first $10 instant ticket debuted in 1997—“$1,000,000
Gift.” The “$1,000,000 Gift” game offered a $1,000,000
top prize—the first time a prize of that magnitude had been offered
in an instant game. Since 1997, the Lottery has introduced more than 30
new $10 instant games, for an average of six to eight new $10 game introductions
each year. Currently, there are approximately five $10 games on sale
at any given time. The overall odds of winning any prize on a $10 instant
ticket are better than lower-priced instant games, which is a key reason
why these games have become so popular with players. With the $10 instant games, casino- and money-themed
tickets consistently hold the greatest appeal for our players. The Michigan
Lottery strives to create games the players want and will offer them
the most fun for their purchase. Looking forward, radio advertising and a variety of
point-of-sale materials will support the launch of the newest $10 game,
“Las Vegas Strip.” This casino-themed game will offer two
$1,000,000 top prizes and more than 14 different ways to win on each
ticket. This game also offers lots of $1,000 and $10,000 prizes. I encourage you to prominently display the point-of-sale
items in high-traffic areas throughout your store and don’t forget
to ask for the sale. Free coupon Your customers are not the only ones who will benefit
from this promotion. It also creates an opportunity for Lottery retailers
to earn an additional 53-percent commission on a $5 instant ticket sale. Don’t forget that an extra one percent sales commission
is available to retailers who meet or exceed their quarterly sales goals.
This quarter (January 1 – March 31, 2004) the sales goal is set
at a 2.75-percent increase over the same quarter in 2003. Detroit Pistons “Back Pair Payout” Beginning March 1, 2004, and running through March 21,
2004, players whose $1 straight bets match the last two numbers drawn
will receive a $10 payout. The odds of matching the back pair are a
mere 1 in 101, which is easier to win than any other Daily 4 prize.
Daily 4 winning numbers are drawn twice a day—midday (12:59 p.m.)
and evening (7:29 p.m.)—and this great new promotion applies to
both drawings. With all of these extra $10 winners coming to your stores
to collect their prizes, you can look forward to increased sales, as
many players will want to try their luck again. Just like any other
prize cashed in-store, retailers will also receive the 2-percent redemption
commission on every valid back-pair match paid. Unclaimed prizes A ticket sold at Mr. C’s Pizza and Deli #2 in Grosse
Pointe Farms, with a $175,000 Mega Millions prize, will expire, if unclaimed,
on February 11, 2004. Three more winning tickets will expire in June
if unclaimed. If your store has sold a top-prize winning ticket that
still has not been claimed by its rightful owner, be sure to remind
your customers to check their tickets, as any of them could have a winner
and not even know it. All unclaimed Lottery prizes revert to the state School
Aid Fund after one year from the draw date. For more information about
any unclaimed Michigan Lottery prize, visit the Lottery’s Web site
at www.michigan.gov/lottery or call the Lottery’s Public Relations
office at 517-373-1237. Holiday closing New instants • January 15: $2 “Kisses and Riches” • January 15: $5 “Super Red Hot Cashword” • January 22: $3 “Wheel of Fortune” • January 22: $1 “Instant Daily 3” • January 29: $5 “Wild Crazy 8s” • February 5: $2 “Whole Lotta Luck” • February 5: $2 “Wild Bingo” • February 12: $1 “Win Dough” • February 12: $1 “Canine Cash” • February 19: $2 “Trump Card” • February 26: $10 “Las Vegas Strip” |
Since
the Big Game became Mega Millions in May 2002, Michigan Lottery retailers
have sold two jackpot-winning tickets. The second jackpot winning ticket
was sold for the November 11, 2003, drawing. The lucky retailer that
sold the $23.3 million winning ticket was Centre Street Shell #4780
in Portage. Its owner earned a $2,000 commission for selling the jackpot-winning
ticket.