Forty Lottery retailers top million-dollar mark in '05

by Commissioner Gary Peters

With fiscal year 2005 Lottery sales topping $2 billion for the first time in the history of the game in our state, it comes as no surprise that it was a record year for Lottery retailers as well. Between instant games and Club Games, 40 Lottery retailers surpassed the $1-million mark in 2005.

Three million-dollar-plus retailers accounted for over $3.2 million in sales of Club Games: Florentine’s Pizzeria and Restaurant in Grand Rapids, M.T. Loonies in Temperance and Joe Suds in Warren.

Club Keno, which along with Pull Tabs makes up the Club Games roster, is the Lottery’s fastest growing game. Retailers are joining the network on a regular basis, making the game available to more and more players. We expect the popularity of Club Keno to increase even more rapidly with the newly launched Kicker.

Million-dollar instant/online games retailers were:
Angelo’s Food Specialties,
Benton Harbor
Meijer No. 29, Burton
Shoppers Market Centerline,
Center Line
Skip’s Market, Center Line
Toma Foods, Dearborn
United Party Shoppe II, Dearborn
MGM Food Center, Detroit
Glass Bottle Shoppe, Detroit
Thrifty Scot, Detroit
Nick’s Party Store, Detroit
MC Petro, Detroit
Pied Piper, Detroit
Luxor Market, Detroit
SMM Mobil, Detroit
Barrel and Bottle, Detroit
New Super Fair Foods, Detroit
In N Out Food Store No. 31, Detroit
6 and Lodge, Detroit
Boulevard Food Center, Detroit
Joe’s Liquor and Wine Shop, Detroit
Meijer No. 28, Flint
Union Station, Flint
Meijer No. 23, Lansing
Levan Wine and Deli Shoppe, Livonia
Oak Liquor and Wine, Oak Park
New North End Market, Oak Park
Danny’s Fine Wine, Oak Park
Light House Liquor, Oak Park
Scotia Stop Food Store, Oak Park
Country Farm Market, Pontiac
Stop N Shop, Saginaw
Greenfield Party Shoppe, Southfield
Oakland Liquor Party Shoppe,
Southfield
Abbey Wine and Liquor Shop,
Southfield
Meijer No. 123, Southgate
Sax Discount, Taylor
Shoppers Market, Warren

In total, these 37 retailers accounted for over $43 million in sales.

The Lottery works hard to develop a mix of games to match the tastes of all players. Over the course of the year, we introduced over 70 different instant games.

Fantasy 5 completed its first full year, and Classic Lotto 47 was introduced. Standbys like Daily 3 and Daily 4, as well as Keno, remain popular.

We were also lucky to experience several jackpot runs in our multi-state game, Mega Millions, which contributed to high sales totals.

All of these success stories illustrate what matters most to you, our retailers: commissions. With the record sales came record commissions—I am pleased to say that our network of over 11,000 retailers earned a well-deserved $152 million in commissions in the last fiscal year.

If you are looking for ways to increase your Lottery business—and your commissions—please talk with your Lottery sales representative. He or she can assist you in reviewing the opportunities that match your specific situation and help get you on the road to increased revenues.

New instants
The Lottery’s holiday tickets were launched in November, allowing retailers plenty of time to set the stage for sales for the season. Among the 2005 lineup: Merry Millions, Holiday Magic, Silver Bell Bucks and Gingerbread. Several new instants are on tap for December as well.

December 5: $5 $300,000 Texas Hold ‘Em (top prize: a trip to the World Series of Poker)
December 5: $2 Old Man Winner (top prize: $15,000)
December 12: $2 Paid in Full (top prize: $25,000)
December 19: $1 Gimme 5 (top prize: $5,000)
December 19: $2 Cashword Doubler (top prize: $35,000)
December 27: $1 Ducks in Row (top prize: $4,000)