Michigan Lottery
The Michigan Lottery offers numerous on-line and scratch-off games, giving players a wide variety of prize possibilities. Initiated under the authority of Public Act 239 in 1972, the games collect funds to support Michigan’s public school system.
History
The Michigan Lottery began when the Green Ticket game started on November 13, 1972. On October 7, 1975, the first instant game ticket was purchased. Terminal-based games commenced on June 6, 1977, when the Daily 3 game was introduced. The first "Michigan Lotto" game was introduced on August 13, 1984. The first The Big Game (now Mega Millions) ticket was sold on August 31, 1996. Since its commencement, the Michigan Lottery has donated more than $14.5 billion to the School Aid Fund.
Lottery Products
The Michigan Lottery offers a number of games in different styles of play, including:
- “Scratch-off” games;
- Online games, where drawings are held to pick winning numbers. The latter include Powerball, Mega Millions, and Classic Lotto 47;
- Pull-tabs, which are similar to scratch tickets; however, players pull perforated tabs instead of "scratching off" the ticket.
Lottery tickets are offered to the public through more than 10,000 licensed Michigan Lottery retailers.
Scratch games
To play Michigan Lottery scratch games, a player scratches off a ticket; each game consists of different themes, play styles and prize structures. The Lottery averages over 70 new scratch games per year. These games are priced from $1 and $20, with prizes up to $2 million.
Terminal-based games
Tickets for these games are sold from lottery terminals connected to a central system. Lottery drawings are held to determine the winning numbers. Depending on the lottery game, drawings are held four minutes apart (Club Keno), twice a day (Daily 3 and Daily 4), daily (Fantasy 5 and Keno!) or twice a week (Powerball, Mega Millions, and Classic Lotto 47).
Club Games
Added in 2003, Club Games consist of the Club Keno game and pull-tabs, available mostly in social settings, such as bars, restaurants, and bowling centers.
For Club Keno players choose up to 10 numbers out of 80. With results displayed on television sets four minutes apart, the Lottery draws 20 numbers. Wagers are $1 to $20; the top prize is $100,000 for a $1 bet.
With top prizes ranging from $1,000 to $4,000, pull-tab games are similar to “scratch-off” games. Instead of scratching off a ticket, a player pulls perforated tabs.
Keno!
Initiated in 1990, Keno! players select 10 numbers out of 80. During the daily drawings, 22 numbers are chosen. A player matching 10 numbers wins $250,000. Players also win money by matching 9, 8, 7, or 6 numbers. There also is a prize for matching zero numbers, which is a $1 scratch ticket (rather than a free Keno! play). Keno! results are shown on the nighttime version of the Michigan Lottery Show on WDIV.
Daily 3 and Daily 4
Pick 6 numbers
Fantasy 5
Fantasy 5 began on September 12, 2004, replacing a game called Rolldown. Players select 5 of 39 numbers. Jackpots begin at $100,000 with drawings held daily. Fantasy 5 jackpots increase by a minimum of $5,000 per drawing if there is no top-prize winner. Fantasy 5 results are shown on the nightly version of the Michigan Lottery Show on WDIV.
Classic Lotto 47
Introduced on May 15, 2005, Classic Lotto 47 replaced Winfall. Players pick 6 of 47 numbers. Classic Lotto 47 drawings are held twice weekly with jackpots starting at $1 million. The odds of winning the jackpot are approximately 1 in 11 million. Unlike most Michigan Lottery games (which draw numbered balls), Classic Lotto 47 is drawn using a random number generator (RNG).
Mega Millions (multi-lottery game)
Main article: Mega Millions
On September 6, 1996, six lotteries (including Michigan's) began The Big Game. It became Mega Millions in 2002. Players select 6 numbers from 2 pools: 5 numbers from 1 through 75, and the Mega Ball number (1 through 15) for a chance to win a multi-million dollar jackpot. Currently, Mega Millions jackpots begin at $15 million (annuity value), and increases when there is no top prize winner. Drawings are held on Tuesdays and Fridays. Michigan jackpot winners choose either the annuity (30 annual payments) or the cash option after winning. The Megaplier option will be added to Michigan Lottery in January, 2011.
Powerball (multi-lottery game)
Main article: Powerball
Powerball began in 1992. Players select six numbers from two pools: five numbers from 1 through 59, and the Powerball number (1 through 35) for a chance to win a multi-million dollar jackpot prize. Currently, Powerball jackpots begin at $40 million (annuity value), and increases every time there is no top prize winner. Drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays. On January 31, 2010, some of the Mega Millions member lotteries (including Michigan) joined Powerball. http://www.michigan.gov/lottery/0,1607,7-110--230473--,00.html</ref>
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