LANSING, January 9, 2009 – Less than one week after the Millionaire Raffle drawing, the Michigan Lottery has given out over $5 million in prize money. Seven more winners came forward this week to collect their prizes, leaving only three of the top prizes, including one $1 million prize, unclaimed.

Two anonymous women claimed top $1 million prizes. The lucky winning tickets were purchased at Wine Valley, 50093 N. Grantio Ave., in Chesterfield and Neiman’s Family Market, 2205 US 23 South Ste. 14, in Alpena.

Five more anonymous players collected their $100,000 prizes at Lottery Central this week. The winning tickets were purchased at Bernie’s Market, 39920 Garfield Rd., in Clinton Township, Glen’s Market #1518, 10350 S. Claire Ave., in Clare, Speedway #2322, 570 Van Dyke Rd., in Washington, Bills Market, 479 Marshall St., in Coldwater and Kmart 4082, 100 E. Maple Rd., in Troy.   

Winners who claimed earlier in the week included, Michael Batterton who claimed a top $1 million prize on a ticket purchased at the Hickory Ridge Market in Highland and two anonymous players who claimed $1 million prizes on tickets purchased at Kim’s Tally Ho Inc. in Curtis and the Palace Liquor Wine Shop in Macomb.

Additionally, Ralph Saunders claimed $100,000 on a ticket purchased at 7-Eleven 32816 in Taylor; Fred Cleveland claimed $100,000 on a ticket purchased at Fat Tony’s Sports Bar in Portage; Eileen Breimayer claimed $100,000, on a ticket purchased at Admiral Disc Tobacco 114 in Newaygo; and two anonymous winners claimed $100,000 on tickets purchased at Meijer #56 in Jackson and Party World in Comstock Park.

The Millionaire Raffle is the Michigan Lottery’s 10th Raffle to date. Featured were six prizes of $1 million each, 12 prizes of $100,000, 2,000 prizes of $500 and 4,000 prizes of $100.

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 2008, the contribution to schools was $740.7 million. Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $15 billion to education in Michigan.

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

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