Gov. Whitmer Announces More Than $1.3 Billion Awarded to Schools from Michigan Lottery Sales in 2023, Second Highest in State History

Posted on December 20, 2023 by MI_Lottery

Michigan Lottery logoToday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer announced the Michigan Lottery contributed more than $1.3 billion to the fund in 2023, marking the fifth consecutive year the agency’s contribution has topped $1 billion.

“The Michigan Lottery’s fifth-straight contribution of more than $1 billion to our state’s School Aid Fund will improve education outcomes and support students,” said Governor Whitmer. “In addition to investing in our schools, each Lottery ticket purchase also supports local businesses, building on our economic momentum. With about 97 cents of each dollar spent on the Lottery returned to Michiganders in the form of contributions to the School Aid Fund, prizes, and commissions to local vendors and retailers, the Lottery makes a real difference for communities across Michigan. Congratulations to the Lottery team on another successful year.”

Since 1972, the Lottery has contributed more than $28 billion to the School Aid Fund, which supports public education programs throughout Michigan. In each of the last five fiscal years, the Lottery has contributed more than $1 billion to the School Aid Fund, totaling more than $6.2 billion in contributions over that five-year span.

Lottery retailers in Michigan were paid more than $350 million in commissions in FY23. Since FY19, when the Lottery’s streak of billion-dollar contributions to the School Aid Fund began, retailers have earned nearly $1.7 billion in commissions. Lottery products are sold at more than 10,000 locations across Michigan, including both independently owned businesses and large chains. In 2023, nearly 600 retailers sold $1 million or more in Lottery games.

For the third consecutive year, Lottery players in Michigan collected more than $3 billion in prizes. Since the Lottery began in 1972, players have collected more than $50 billion in prizes.

“The Lottery’s contribution of $1.3 billion to the School Aid Fund provides a critical source of financial support for public schools throughout Michigan,” said acting Lottery Commissioner, Jessica Weare. “Continuing the incredible streak of billion-dollar contributions to the School Aid Fund is a testament to the hard work and ingenuity of the entire Lottery team, the dedication of our retailers and vendors, and the support of Lottery players.”

The Lottery is also committed to promoting responsible gaming. Michigan was the first state lottery to receive certification of its online program through the National Council on Problem Gambling and has also attained Responsible Gaming Verification through the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries. Responsible gaming information and resources are available on the Lottery’s website at: www.michiganlottery.com/responsible-gaming.

For each dollar spent on a Michigan Lottery ticket in FY23, approximately:
• 61 cents went to players as prizes
• 27 cents went to the School Aid Fund to support public education
• 9 cents went to commissions for retailers and vendors
• 3 cents funded the Lottery’s operations and administrative costs

Under state law, all profits from the Lottery go to the School Aid Fund. Audited financial results and the Lottery’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report are expected to be available early next year.

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Kent County Educator Wins Excellence in Education Award from the Michigan Lottery

Posted on December 19, 2023 by MI_Lottery

Ashleigh Sutton holding $2,000 Excellence in Education checkA Kent County educator known for creating engaging lessons for her students has been honored with an Excellence In Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Ashleigh Sutton, teaches Social Studies and Exploratory Geography at Kent City Middle School. The school is part of Kent City Community Schools.

The Michigan Lottery established the Excellence In Education awards in 2014 to recognize outstanding public-school educators across the state during the school year.

Winners of the weekly award receive a $2,000 cash prize. At the end of the school year, one of the weekly award winners will be selected to receive the Lottery’s Educator of the Year award and will receive a $10,000 cash prize.

Each winner also is featured in a news segment on the Lottery’s media partner stations: WXYZ-TV in Detroit, FOX 17 in Grand Rapids, FOX 47 in Lansing, WNEM-TV in Saginaw, and WWTV-TV in Traverse City. The news segment featuring Sutton will air this evening.

Sutton says her desire for a career that would allow her to make a difference led her to a career in education.

“I started a career in finance right out of high school but was unhappy and unfulfilled. I spent the next four years trying to figure out what I wanted to do the rest of my life. I knew I wanted to do something to help others and make a difference. After many years and many classes, I decided to pursue a career in education and left my career in finance to be a Social Studies teacher.”

Sutton says her favorite activities to do with students are historical simulations, geographic information system (GIS) labs, and Dungeons and Dragons club.

“My favorite activities in seventh grade are our historical simulations. We have been wealthy landowners along the Silk Road, solved the cold case mystery of Julius Ceasar’s death, and we have fought in phalanxes as Persians and Athenians.

“My favorite activities in sixth grade are our GIS labs. Students use the ArcGIS platform to map data layers. We use this information to find spatial patterns and connections to help us solve geographical problems. At the end of the year students create their own map stories about problems they would like to solve. I love seeing my students empower themselves to make a difference in the world.

“I host a middle school Dungeons and Dragons club after school which allows students to come into my classroom and be themselves. We pretend and make up characters and let our imaginations go crazy. When students feel safe to be themselves, they grow in the most amazing of ways.”

Sutton was nominated for the award by a colleague.

“Ashleigh has been going above and beyond this school year in more ways than one. She works hard to create engaging lessons for students that push their thinking and keep them hooked on the content. Ashleigh is the high school varsity cheer coach in the fall, and she also runs Dungeons and Dragons club for middle school students after school. Throughout the months of February and March, she has made it a point to create bulletin boards in her classroom and the hallway for students to learn and celebrate Black History Month and Women’s History Month. Additionally, Ashleigh set up a Women’s History Month poster scavenger hunt throughout the school for students to learn and earn prizes.

“Ashleigh is an amazing educator who has been putting in the work and effort to build long lasting relationships with her students and fellow staff members. Kent City Schools is lucky to have such an amazing teacher.”

Sutton earned a bachelor’s degree from Ferris State University and is currently attending Eastern Michigan University to earn her master’s degree in Reading and Teacher Education. She has been an educator for two years, both in her current position.

Excellence in Education award nominees are evaluated on the following criteria:

  • Excellence – Their work consistently helps students and/or their schools or school districts advance to higher levels of academic achievement.
  • Dedication – They consistently go above and beyond expectations to help students succeed.
  • Inspiration – Their work inspires others around them to exceed expectations either academically or professionally.
  • Leadership – They demonstrate clear leadership skills in their positions with their school or school districts.
  • Effectiveness – The nominee’s work has clear and positive results on the educational advancement of students within the school or school district.
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Sterling Heights Woman Wins $100,000 Powerball Prize from the Michigan Lottery

Posted on December 18, 2023 by MI_Lottery

Winning TicketA Sterling Heights woman is looking forward to helping her family after winning a $100,000 Powerball prize from the Michigan Lottery.

Vy Uong, 26, matched four white balls and the Powerball – 34-50-51-61-67, PB: 20 – in the Nov. 18 drawing to win a $50,000 prize. Thanks to the Power Play, the prize was multiplied to $100,000. She bought her winning ticket at the 7-Eleven, located at 4191 15 Mile Road in Sterling Heights.

“My dad and I like to play the Lottery together, so every once in a while, one of us will stop and buy some tickets,” said Uong. “I bought a few Powerball tickets and gave them to my dad to check the day after the drawing. When he told me I won $100,000, I thought he was joking. When he showed me the ticket and the winning numbers, I was so happy! I still can’t believe that this is real.”

Uong recently visited Lottery headquarters to claim her prize. With her winnings, she plans to help her family.

Powerball plays may be purchased for $2 each at Lottery retailers across the state and online at MichiganLottery.com. A “Power Play” option that multiplies non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times to a maximum of $2 million may be added to any Powerball play for only $1. For an additional $1 per play, Double Play may be added to a Powerball ticket, giving players a second chance to win up to $10 million in the nightly Double Play drawing.

The Powerball drawing takes place at 10:59 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday and may be watched live online at: http://www.powerball.com. Powerball tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington D.C., U.S. Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico.

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Macomb County Man Wins $342,747 BIG CA$H Second Chance Jackpot Prize

Posted on December 15, 2023 by MI_Lottery

Big Ca$h JackpotA Macomb County man still can’t believe he won a $342,747 BIG CA$H Second Chance jackpot prize from the Michigan Lottery.

The 32-year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous, won $342,747 after he was selected in a random drawing that took place Nov. 8. He earned entries into the giveaway by playing the eligible BIG CA$H Second Chance Jackpot games online at MichiganLottery.com. For more information regarding eligible BIG CA$H Second Chance Jackpot games, please visit https://news.michiganlottery.com/bigcash.

“I was playing some of the online games and saw something about a second chance drawing, but I didn’t look much into it,” said the player. “When I got a call from the Michigan Lottery one day telling me I’d won a $342,747 second chance prize, I didn’t believe it, and honestly I still don’t! It is such a crazy feeling.”

The player recently visited Lottery headquarters to claim his big prize. With his winnings, he plans to pay for his wedding, pay bills, and then save the remainder.

Select online instant games include a second chance progressive jackpot drawing. Part of every purchase of the games funds one progressive jackpot prize which is awarded in a second chance drawing each month. Players earn one entry for every $0.50 wagered playing the eligible games. After the entry period has closed, a random drawing takes place with one jackpot winner being selected from all entries for that month.

The BIG CA$H Second Chance game launched in April 2022. Since the BIG CA$H Second Chance games launched, players have won more than $6.2 million in progressive prizes. In the last 12 months, players have won:

  • October 2023 – $342,747 progressive jackpot prize
  • September 2023 – $416,322 progressive jackpot prize
  • August 2023 – $729,743 progressive jackpot prize
  • July 2023 – $573,617 progressive jackpot prize
  • June 2023 – $519,212 progressive jackpot prize
  • May 2023 – $559,200 progressive jackpot prize
  • April 2023 – $538,958 progressive jackpot prize
  • March 2023 – $625,162 progressive jackpot prize
  • February 2023 – $261,935 progressive jackpot prize
  • January 2023 – $403,618 progressive jackpot prize
  • December 2022 – $125,514 progressive jackpot prize
  • November 2022 – $110,689 progressive jackpot prize

Entries are only valid for the entry period in which they were earned. Each month, a new drawing period begins, and the progressive jackpot is reset to $5,000. The next drawing will take place Jan. 10.

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How Sweet It Is: Lapeer County Woman Wins $300,000 Playing the Michigan Lottery’s Peppermint Payout Instant Game

Posted on December 13, 2023 by MI_Lottery

Winning TicketA Lapeer County woman felt like she was in a dream after winning $300,000 playing the Michigan Lottery’s Peppermint Payout instant game.

The lucky 71-year-old player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought her winning ticket at the Kroger store, located at 540 South Main Street in Lapeer.

“I like playing the scratch off tickets and I play them quite a bit,” said the player. “I scratched the ticket on the way home from the store, and when I saw I won $300,000, I just kept yelling: ‘This can’t be real!’ I felt like I was in a dream. I called my kids as soon as I got home to tell them the good news.”

The player recently visited Lottery headquarters to claim her prize. With her winnings, she plans to pay bills, complete home improvements, and help those in need this holiday season.

Players have won more than $4 million playing Peppermint Payout which launched in October. Each $5 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $300,000. More than $16 million in prizes remain, including one $300,000 prize and six $2,000 prizes.

In 2022, Lottery players won more than $1.7 billion playing instant games.

Lottery instant games may be purchased at any of the 10,500 retailers across the state.

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