LANSING, January 15, 2009 – Maureen O’Rielly was in disbelief after learning she matched five white ball numbers in the October 24, 2008 Mega Millions drawing and won $250,000!

The regular Lottery player from Pinckney hid the winning ticket in her bedroom before cashing it at Lottery Central in Lansing. O’Rielly plans to save the prize money.

The lucky winning easy-pick ticket was purchased at the Dexter Party Store Inc., 7490 Huron River Dr., in Dexter.

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 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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