LANSING, September 20, 2005 – A very lucky Livonia woman was in disbelief when she matched four of the white balls and the Mega ball to win $10,000 in the Sept. 12 Mega Millions drawing.

The Mega Millions prize structure changed beginning with the June 24 drawing when California became part of the Mega Millions game. The previous prize for matching four white balls and the Mega ball was $5,000

Linda Durant, who has been playing the Lottery for about 10 years, said she plans to use her prize money to pay bills. She hid her ticket at work before cashing it in at the Lottery regional office in Dearborn Heights.

She purchased her lucky easy pick ticket at Bonanza Wine Shop, 33614 Plymouth Rd., in Livonia.

Mega Millions is a multi-state lottery game in Michigan, California, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at more than 10,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

All proceeds from the Lottery are contributed to the state School Aid Fund which supports kindergarten through 12th grade public education in Michigan. In fiscal year 2004, the contribution was $644.8 million.

For additional information, please visit the Lottery’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/lottery.

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