LANSING, October 20, 1997 – Michigan’s schoolchildren hit the jackpot this year as the Michigan Lottery generated an all-time record $583 million for the state School Aid Fund, a $35 million jump over last year. This brings to nearly $8 billion in total funding the Lottery has generated for Michigan’s schools since the Lottery’s inception.
The Michigan Lottery achieved gross revenue of $1.63 billion (unaudited) in fiscal 1997, shattering the previous year’s record by more than $200 million!
"The Lottery is extremely proud to support public education in Michigan," said Michigan Lottery Commissioner Bill Martin. "This was a winning year for everyone involved with the Lottery, but the biggest winners are the schoolchildren. Of all the records that were set this year, our contribution to education is the most rewarding."
According to a report by International Gaming & Wagering Business, Michigan was named the top-performing U.S. lottery in fiscal 1997 – one of only two lotteries to achieve a double-digit percentage increase in year-to-year sales growth. In another recent report, IG&WB also named Michigan as one of the most efficient lotteries based on the percentage of government revenues generated from sales dollars.
"Michigan’s strong fiscal performance was ushered primarily by the introduction of The Big Game and the rapid growth of instant tickets," said Martin. "Michigan Lottery players have embraced The Big Game, as Michigan has consistently led all Big Game states in ticket sales. And, our instant games remain the fastest-growing product segment for the Lottery."
Michigan Lottery retailers led the way, earning more than $112 million in ticket commissions. That marks a nearly 13-percent increase over last year, as well as one of the largest year-to-year commission increases in Michigan Lottery history!
"The Lottery’s fiscal 1997 results are just further proof of what can be accomplished when you work together," said Martin. "The dedication and commitment shown by Lottery staff and retailers – combined with tremendous player enthusiasm – resulted in our strongest year ever."
Overall in fiscal 1997 players won a record $866 million in cash prizes, smashing the previous year’s record by more than $114 million. Players won $333 million in the Daily 3 & Daily 4 games, $109 million in Michigan Lotto, $16 million in Cash 5 and $6 million in Keno.
Instant game players scratched their way to $339.5 million in prizes – another record! The new kid on the block, The Big Game, completed its first full year of sales while players won more than $62 million in prizes.
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