LANSING, August 20, 1997 – Another Michigan Lotto "Smartplay" ticket is the key to millions – this time for a Farmington Hills lottery club that claimed the Aug. 2 Lotto jackpot worth $9,281,116!

The six-member club held the only ticket to match all six winning numbers in the Aug. 2, 1997 Michigan Lotto drawing: 16, 31, 35, 39, 44 and 46.  The club received its first installment of $372,316 to be followed by 24 annual installments of $371,200, before taxes.

"My son and I wanted to buy a ticket for the Lotto drawing, and we decided to stop at a store we never go to – we were just in the right place at the right time," said the club representative, who requested anonymity.

"We checked the date and the numbers three or four times, but we didn’t believe it," he said.  "I couldn’t sleep – I did a little dance, and I don’t dance!  I always wondered what it would feel like to match all six numbers.  Only in America …"

Club members said they will use their winnings to make investments, take vacations, and "live the life of Riley!"

The club’s winning "Smartplay" ticket was purchased at Northville Gourmet/Wine Shop, 680 W. 8 Mile Road, in Northville.

"Smartplay" is now a permanent feature of the Michigan Lotto game.  When a player purchases a $5 five-wager ticket for a Michigan Lotto drawing, a free "easy pick" ticket for the next Lotto drawing is automatically produced by the Lottery terminal.  A "Smartplay" wager has been the jackpot-winning ticket for four lucky winners in just over a year.

Tonight’s (Aug. 20) Michigan Lotto jackpot is estimated at $2.1 million, and Friday’s (Aug. 22) Big Game jackpot is estimated at $11 million!

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