LANSING, March 16, 2009 – Michael Milanowski of Grand Rapids won a $10,000 Mega Millions prize after matching four white ball numbers and the gold Mega ball number on March 3.

Milanowski was in shock when he checked his numbers in the newspaper and realized he won the prize. The Grand Rapids man hid the winning ticket in his pocket before cashing it at the Lottery’s Grand Rapids office. He has no special plans for the prize money.

The easy-pick ticket was purchased at Meijer #158, 1997 E. Beltline Ave. NE, in Grand Rapids.

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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