LANSING, August 26, 2009 – Although Tuesday night’s Mega Millions drawing passed without a jackpot winner, Michigan Lottery players didn’t walk away empty handed. A total of 191,199 players won prizes ranging from $2 to $250,000, including four lucky players who won $250,000 each!

Three of the four winners, Amy Collier of Albion, Daniel Howells of Coldwater, and James Brandon of Southfield, traveled to Lansing today to claim their prizes. The winners plan to use some of the money to pay bills, pay for college, and go on vacation.

The lucky winning tickets were purchased at PS Food Mart-CWPS, 75 E. Chicago St., in Coldwater; 115 Truck Stop, Inc., 14547 22 ½ Mile Rd., in Marshall; and Doc’s Sports Retreat, 19265 Victor Parkway, in Livonia. Each retailer will receive a $2,000 bonus commission for selling the winning $250,000 tickets. The fourth winning ticket, which has yet to be claimed, was purchased at Kroger #444 , 10059 E. Highland Rd., in Howell.

Since there were no winners in Tuesday night’s drawing, the jackpot has grown to $325 million for Friday night’s drawing. Friday’s jackpot is the third largest since the Mega Millions game began in 2002. Tickets for the 11pm drawing must be purchased by 10:45pm Friday.

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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