The thousands of Michigan Lottery players who had winning tickets were not the only winners in the March 30 historic Mega Millions drawing.
Lottery officials report that sales for the drawing were approximately $25.9 million, resulting in a net contribution to the School Aid Fund of approximately $10.6 million. The sales broke the Lottery’s previous drawing sales record of $24.7 million, which was for a 2000 Big Game jackpot of $363 million. Michigan’s Larry Ross was one of two winners who shared that jackpot.
In addition, the Lottery’s 10,000-plus retailers earned approximately $1.5 million in sales commissions for the Friday drawing.
Previous to March 30, the last Mega Millions jackpot was won on January 24, 2012. Since then, in the run up to the historic jackpot, the Lottery sold $65.1 million in Mega Millions tickets and recorded profits of $26.7 million.
The Mega Millions run lifted interest in all Lottery games, resulting in record sales for the week ending April 3. Unaudited figures show $81 million in total sales, highlighted by both Mega Millions sales and instant game sales, which were over $19 million. The previous record week, ending May 8, 2000, had sales of $62.9 million total.
Over 636,000 Michigan Lottery players won over $4.5 million in Friday’s Mega Millions drawing, with prizes ranging from $250,000 (six winners) to $2 (332,299 winners.)
The jackpot for the March 30 drawing was finalized at $656 million, which was a world record. Winning tickets for the jackpot were sold in Kansas, Maryland and Illinois.
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 2011, the contribution to schools was over $727.3 million. Since its inception in 1972, the Lottery has contributed over $16 billion to education in Michigan.
For information on all Lottery games, please visit the Lottery’s Web site at www.michiganlottery.com.
“The Michigan Lottery. All across the state good things happen.”
Contact: Andi Brancato, PR Director 517-335-5648
Agency: Michigan Lottery Public Relations
