LANSING, March 13, 2009 – Lottie Varnado was excited after learning she won a $10,000 prize in the Lottery’s Casino Game Book instant game.

The 55-year-old from Big Rapids told Lottery officials that this is her first big win because she’s not a regular Lottery player. Varnado plans to pay bills with the prize money.

The lucky winning ticket was purchased at Big Rapids E-Z Mart, 710 S. State St., in Big Rapids.

Casino Game Book  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 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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