LANSING, May 1, 2009 – Thomas Larkins is a big Mega Millions winner! He won a huge $10,002 prize on April 28 after matching four white ball numbers and the gold Mega ball number, and the gold Mega ball on the same ticket.

Larkins learned of his win on the Lottery’s Web site and was stunned. The Onondaga man hid the winning ticket in his night stand before claiming it at Lottery Central in Lansing. The long-time player plans to “get ahead” with the prize money.

The winning easy-pick ticket was purchased at Lyle’s Party Store, 603 N. Clinton St., in Grand Ledge.

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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