Wayne County Man Wins $175,535 Fast Cash Prize

Posted on December 5, 2019 by MI_Lottery

A 21-year-old Wayne County man couldn’t contain his excitement after winning a $175,535 20X The Cash Fast Cash prize from the Michigan Lottery.

The player bought his winning ticket at the Exxon gas station, located at 22422 Wick Road in Taylor.

“I play Fast Cash every once in a while,” said the player, who chose to remain anonymous. “As soon as I looked the ticket over, I saw I won half the jackpot. I couldn’t stop jumping up and down and screaming right there in the gas station.”

The player recently visited Lottery headquarters to claim the big prize. He is going to put his big prize in the bank while he decides how to spend it all.

Fast Cash games are a series of instant-win games that print from terminals at Lottery retailers. Fast Cash tickets range in price from $2 per play up to $20 per play.

Fast Cash games offer a progressive jackpot that can be won instantly. Every Fast Cash ticket gives players a chance to win all or part of the progressive jackpot.

All of the Fast Cash games feed into one jackpot, which grows with every ticket purchased. The current jackpot amount prints on each ticket, so players always know the amount of the jackpot up for grabs. The jackpot may be won at any time. As soon as the jackpot is hit, a new one starts to grow.

Available Fast Cash games are:

  • Big Bowling Bucks – Each $2 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $2 up to $600 and 20 percent of the Fast Cash progressive jackpot.
  • Wild Time Progressive – Each $2 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $2 up to $500 and 20 percent of the Fast Cash progressive jackpot.
  • 20X The Cash – Each $5 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $2,500 and 50 percent of the Fast Cash progressive jackpot.
  • Diamond Wild Time Progressive – Each $5 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $3,000 and 50 percent of the Fast Cash progressive jackpot.
  • 50X The Cash – Each $10 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $10 up to $5,000 and 100 percent of the Fast Cash progressive jackpot.
  • Doubler Wild Time Progressive – Each $10 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $10 up to $6,000 and 100 percent of the Fast Cash progressive jackpot.
  • Jackpot Slots – Each $10 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $10 up to $5,000 and 100 percent of the Fast Cash progressive jackpot.
  • Lucky 7s – Each $10 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $10 up to $4,000 and 100 percent of the Fast Cash progressive jackpot.
  • 100X The Cash – Each $20 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $20 up to $10,000 and 100 percent of the Fast Cash progressive jackpot, plus $250,000.
  • Jumbo Jackpot Slots – Each $20 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $20 up to $10,000 and 100 percent of the Fast Cash progressive jackpot plus $250,000.

Fast Cash prizes never sell out and there is no waiting for a drawing as all games are played immediately. In 2018, players won more than $51.5 million playing Fast Cash games.

Fast Cash games may be purchased at 10,500 retailers across the state.

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Grand Rapids Woman Wins $5 Million Lotto 47 Jackpot

Posted on December 4, 2019 by MI_Lottery

A Grand Rapids woman realized she’d won a $5 million Lotto 47 jackpot prize by scrolling through Facebook the night after the drawing.

The lucky player, who chose to remain anonymous, matched all six Lotto 47 numbers drawn Nov. 20: 17-18-24-26-35-40. She bought the winning ticket at the D & W Fresh Market located at 6425 28th Street Southeast in Grand Rapids.

“I usually only buy Lotto 47 tickets when the jackpot gets over $10 million,” said the player. “When I was at the store, I saw the jackpot was only at $5 million, but I decided to get a ticket anyway.

“The night after the drawing, I was scrolling through Facebook when I saw a news station had posted that someone in Kent County won the big jackpot,” the player said. “I started reading the article and realized it was won at the same store where I’d purchased my ticket. I quickly pulled my ticket out to check my numbers and realized I was the big winner! I instantly felt numb.”

The player visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim the big prize. She chose to receive her winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of about $3.2 million, rather than 30 annuity payments for the full amount. With her winnings she plans to pay off debt, take a few trips, and then save the remainder

“Winning a prize like this feels incredible,” the player said.

Each Lotto 47 play is only $1. Players select six numbers from one to 47 for a chance to win a jackpot starting at $1 million and that grows until someone wins it. For an additional $1 per play, Double Play may be added to a Lotto 47 ticket, giving players a second chance to win up to $1.5 million in the nightly Double Play drawing. For an additional $1 per game, players may add EZMatch to their ticket for a chance to win up to $500 instantly. Lotto 47 drawings take place on Wednesday and Saturday at 7:29 p.m. Tickets may be purchased at a retailer or online at MichiganLottery.com until 7:08 p.m. on the day of the drawing.

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Washtenaw County Man Wins $1 Million Playing the Michigan Lottery’s Millionaire Maker Instant Game

Posted on December 3, 2019 by MI_Lottery

A Washtenaw County man thought he’d won $20 and was stunned when he uncovered a $1 million prize playing the Michigan Lottery’s Millionaire Maker instant game.

The player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought his winning ticket at the Smokers Express, located at 1799 Washtenaw Road in Ypsilanti.

“I bought one Millionaire Maker ticket and scratched it off in the parking lot,” said the 66-year-old player. “When I had a number match, I was expecting to win $20. I slowly uncovered the prize, and when I saw ‘1MIL’ I said some things I can’t repeat!

“I left the store and drove to a friend’s house because I had to tell someone what happened. As soon as he opened the door, I couldn’t get the smile off my face.”

The player visited Lottery headquarters recently to claim the big prize. He chose to receive the prize as a one-time lump sum payment of about $634,000 rather than annuity payments for the full amount. He plans use his winnings to buy a new vehicle, take a trip down South, and then save the remainder.

“This is truly a blessing that is going to change my life,” the player said.

Players have won more than $54 million playing Millionaire Maker, which launched in April. Each $20 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $40 up to $1 million. More than $44 million in prizes remain, including six $1 million top prizes and 29 $5,000 prizes.

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

In 2018, Lottery players won more than $1 billion playing instant games.

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

Posted on December 3, 2019 by MI_Lottery
Christine Batora (right) poses for a photo with Michigan Lottery public relations director, Jeff Holyfield, after accepting her Excellence in Education Award.

Christine Batora (right) poses for a photo with Michigan Lottery public relations director, Jeff Holyfield, after accepting her Excellence in Education Award.

An Ingham County educator known for her dedication to help each of her students find the learning path that works best for them and for inspiring them to become lifelong learners has been honored with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

The award winner, Christine Batora, teaches third and fourth grade at the Okemos Public Montessori at Central, which is part of the Okemos Public 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 plaque, a $1,500 cash prize, and a $500 grant to their classroom, school or school district.  One of the weekly winners will be selected as the Educator of the Year 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, and WNEM-TV in Saginaw. The news segment featuring Batora will air this evening in Grand Rapids and Lansing, and then on Thursday in Saginaw and Detroit.

“I decided to become a teacher early in my undergraduate studies,” Batora said. “I realized I would have benefited from different teaching methods in grade school. That’s why the Montessori method attracted me; it takes a different approach to education.”

She said her favorite part of being a teacher is “the ‘Ah ha!’ moment when a child understands a concept that they originally thought was ‘impossible’ for them.”

Batora said learning with her students motivates her to do her best each day. “I love learning! Part of teaching is inviting children to research topics that interest them. As a result, the children become teachers. Whether my students are building a 10-foot high paper cave, writing play scripts, or composing lyrics about the distributive property, the ideas and energy come from them. The children collaborate and come up with great ideas!

“Our students plan out monthly service projects, participate in social justice book clubs, and partner with a first and second grade classroom to practice leadership skills. Every month, our class focuses on a continent or culture. We have a diverse student body.  Children who have family from the area of interest are invited to present and share about their culture. This culminates in a celebration where food, song, and other cultural touchstones are experienced. The conversations following these activities invite understanding. This results in a peaceful classroom.”

Christine Batora is interviewed after being presented with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

Christine Batora is interviewed after being presented with an Excellence in Education award from the Michigan Lottery.

A student’s parent nominated Batora for the Excellence in Education award, saying that she “helps each student to reach deep inside themselves to succeed on all educational works.”

The nomination went on to describe Batora as “a key leader within the district who continues to improve the Montessori philosophy through the whole school while working with an amazing staff. Their commitment to applying the Montessori philosophy ensures students the greatest likelihood of becoming confident and self-motivated, lifelong learners. Mrs. Christine and Okemos Public Montessori teachers educate with excellence, respect each individual and inspire learners for life who become contributing members of society.

“Words cannot even describe the amount of dedication she gives to everything she does. From committing her time, showing up with an amazing attitude and energy each and every day, all while being a mom of two elementary age boys. Many times, her dedication brings her, and sometimes her family, to work during weekends. It is not unheard of to get a phone call from Mrs. Christine at 7 a.m. on a school day, to talk directly with a student to address an issue.”

Batora earned a bachelor’s degree in education and Montessori certification from Xavier University and also earned a master’s degree in educational leadership with a focus on administration from Concordia University.  She has been an educator for 20 years, the past 15 with the Okemos Public Schools.

Outstanding public school educators may be nominated for an Excellence in Education award at http://bit.ly/ExcellenceInEducation or through the websites of the Lottery’s media partner stations.

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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Wayne County Man Wins $2 Million Playing the Michigan Lottery’s Classic Black Instant Game

Posted on December 2, 2019 by MI_Lottery

A Wayne County man has two million reasons to be thankful after he scratched off a $2 million winning Classic Black instant game ticket on Thanksgiving Day.

The lucky player, who chose to remain anonymous, bought the winning ticket at the Westland Food Store, located at 1690 South Venoy Road in Westland.

“I won $2,500 playing Classic Black a few months ago and I’ve stuck with it ever since,” said the 67-year-old player. “When I scratched the ticket off and saw I matched the ‘$2MIL’ symbol I couldn’t believe it.

“I said to my wife: ‘You’re not going to believe this.’ and showed her the ticket. Holding the winning ticket makes me feel like I’m in a dream.”

The lucky player recently visited Lottery headquarters to claim the big prize. He chose to receive his winnings as a one-time lump sum payment of about $1.3 million, rather than annuity payments for the full amount.

He plans to share some of his winnings with his family, donate to charities, buy a new home, and then save the remainder.

“I keep pinching myself expecting to wake up and find out this is a dream, but now that I’m holding the check it all feels real,” the player said.

Players have won more than $61 million playing Classic Black, which launched in March 2018. Each $20 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $20 up to $2 million. More than $37 million in prizes remain, including one $2 million top prize, 10 $10,000 prizes, 40 $5,000 prizes, and 81 $2,500 prizes.

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

In 2018, Lottery players won more than $1 billion playing instant games.

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