LANSING, July 3, 2002 — There are plenty of reasons for Michigan Lottery players to try their luck on the Lottery’s Mega Millions game this Friday — 96 million reasons to be exact! After no one matched all six numbers in the Tuesday, July 2 Mega Millions drawing, the jackpot swelled to an estimated $96 million for the Friday, July 5 drawing.

"This upcoming holiday weekend could become a very memorable one if a Michigan Lottery player matches all six numbers drawn to win the
$96 million Mega Millions jackpot," said Acting Michigan Lottery Commissioner James Kipp. "This jackpot is generating a lot of excitement among our players as it is the largest Mega Millions jackpot to date. We would love to make a lucky Lottery player’s dream of being a millionaire come true for someone here in Michigan on Friday night!"

If one winning ticket matches all six numbers and the player has selected annuity payments, before taxes it would amount roughly to:

• $3.69 million annually for 26 years; or
• $71,000 per week; or
• $10,143 per day!

For those who prefer to take their cash winnings up-front, it’s a pretty nice payday as well. If one lucky cash-option player matches all six winning numbers, he or she will take home a check for approximately $51 million (before taxes), the estimated present cash value of Friday night’s jackpot!

Mega Millions offers nine ways to win cash prizes ranging from $1 to the jackpot, including a second-tier prize of $175,000 for matching the first five numbers. Mega Millions tickets are available in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virginia. Wagers cost $1 each and can be purchased at more than 7,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide. Friday’s drawing will be conducted at 11 p.m. and broadcast on cable superstation WGN out of Chicago as well as a network of Michigan stations (check local listings). For more information, you can also visit the Mega Millions Web site at http://www.megamillions.com.

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