LANSING, April 16, 2008 – A lucky winner has claimed $35,000 instantly after scratching a winning Criss Cross Cashword Instant ticket.

The anonymous winner was in disbelief and had to check the ticket several times before believing the ticket was a winner.

The winner plans to “enjoy” the prize money. The lucky ticket was purchased at Marathon, 801 Spruce St., in Dowagiac.

Criss Cross Cashword is just one of many Michigan Lottery Instant tickets available at nearly 11,000 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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