LANSING, March 15, 2010 – Texting on a cell phone can now give Michigan Lottery players a chance to win gift codes or a $10,000 cash prize!

Starting March 17, when Lottery players visit their favorite Club Keno locations, they can text for a chance to instantly win $25 gift codes from Amazon.com.

To play, players will simply need to text “madness” on their text-enabled cellular phone to 76060. Instantly, a message will be sent back letting players know if they won a $25 gift code and instructions on how to claim the prize.

Players can also earn an entry for a chance to win $10,000 by visiting the Lottery’s Player Web site at http://www.michiganlottery.com and clicking on “Mobile Madness”. On April 12, a drawing will be conducted, from the eligible online entries, to select the grand prize winner of $10,000. The winner will be contacted by Lottery officials and his or her name will be posted on the Web site.

Mobile Madness runs from March 17 through April 5, during which time, 700 $25 gift codes from Amazon.com will be given away. Players can text to instantly win using their cell phone or those who don’t have a cell phone can play to instantly win on the Lottery’s Player Web site located at www.michiganlottery.com.

No purchase is necessary to participate in Mobile Madness. Players must be 18 years or older and a Michigan resident. Standard text messaging rates will apply.

Over 98.5 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 2009, the contribution to schools was $724.5 million. Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $15 billion to education in Michigan.

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