LANSING, February 11, 2008 – Rick Parkinson walked away with $250,000 after he matched all five white ball numbers, without matching the Mega ball in the Dec. 14, 2007 Mega Millions drawing.

Parkinson said he’s been playing the Lottery for about 14 years and this is his largest win to date. He only plays the Mega Millions game and always plays the same own pick numbers.

He “couldn’t believe it” when he saw his numbers after the drawing, the winner said he hid the ticket in a safe until claiming the prize.

Parkinson purchased the winning ticket at Ernie’s Beer and Wine, 13167 N. Saginaw Rd., in Clio. He plans to invest the prize money.

Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery game in Michigan, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at nearly 11,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

Over 95 cents of every dollar spent on Lottery tickets is returned to the state in the form of contributions to the state School Aid Fund, prizes to players and commissions to retailers. In fiscal year 2007, the contribution to schools was $748.9 million. Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $14.3 billion to education in Michigan.

For additional information, please visit the Lottery’s Web site at https://www.michiganlottery.com/.

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