Instants support economy

by Commissioner Gary Peters

Michigan Lottery retailers and players will soon notice a small but significant addition to the back of instant game tickets. Beginning with “Raceway Riches” (see below) in late April, instant tickets will carry the phrase “Printed in Michigan.”

Actually, our instant tickets have been printed in Michigan for many, many years, but we recently realized that no one but us knows that fact. It seemed appropriate that we share this information because by printing the tickets in-state, we are supporting Michigan’s economy and creating jobs.

Our printer, Pollard Banknote, has an enormous state-of-the-art facility in Ypsilanti, at which our instant tickets are printed. This operation employs approximately 220 people who are experts in the printing of high- quality security products for the gaming industry.

Pollard prints not only Michigan’s instant tickets, but instant tickets for several other state lotteries, including New York, Ohio and Texas. They even print tickets for Ireland—all this in Ypsilanti!

While we should all be proud of the huge contribution the Lottery makes to the School Aid Fund—$645 million in fiscal year 2004—we should be proud as well of the Lottery’s support of Michigan’s economy through Pollard Banknote and its Michigan employees.

Start your engines!
The Michigan Lottery is pleased to announce the launch of our new NASCAR-themed instant ticket, “Raceway Riches,” which is sure to be a top seller, given the extreme popularity of NASCAR racing.

In addition to $30,000 top prizes, this $3 ticket features five individual NASCAR driver tickets and four second-chance drawing opportunities. In each drawing, a racing trip will be awarded as a grand prize.

The grand prize package includes a four-day, three-night trip for two to the winner’s choice of any NASCAR race in the 2005 or 2006 season. Also up for grabs in each drawing are 286 prize packs that include branded merchandise related to the driver of the winner’s choice: uniform jacket, leather travel bag, limited edition photo plaque, t-shirt and racing cap.

This series of tickets went on sale April 25, with a launch event that featured popular driver Matt Kenseth. One of five drivers featured on the tickets, Kenseth signed autographs and participated in a mock NASCAR race with a group of “drivers” who had submitted their names at an Internet site created for the occasion. Other featured drivers are Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Mark Martin and Greg Biffle.