michigan lottery

The Michigan Lottery was initiated under the authority of Public Act 239 in 1972, and collects funds to support Michigan's public school system.

The Michigan Lottery began when the Green Ticket game started on November 13, 1972. Hermus Millsaps of Taylor, Michigan won the first $1 million prize on February 22, 1973. When he won, Mr. Millsaps was 53 years old, a native of Tennessee and worked at a Chrysler Automobile plant. He and his wife spent all their money on bus fare to Lansing and the first Michigan Lottery Commissioner, Gus Harrison, had a lottery agent drive the couple home.
On October 7, 1975, the first instant game ticket was purchased. Terminal-based games commenced on June 6, 1977, when the Daily 3 game was introduced. The first "Michigan Lotto" game was introduced on August 13, 1984. The first The Big Game (now Mega Millions) ticket was sold on August 31, 1996. Since its commencement, the Michigan Lottery has donated more than $27 billion to the School Aid Fund.