LANSING, November 14, 2005 – What’s the best thing about being Tom Black? He’s only 22 and has a quarter of a million dollars in his bank account! The lucky man matched all five white balls in the Mega Millions game to win the $250,000 prize.

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 five white balls, without matching the Mega ball, was $175,000.

The lucky Livonia student plays the Mega Millions game when the jackpots are big. He couldn’t believe his luck after checking the numbers on the Michigan Lottery’s Web site – he called his dad, just to make sure he was right. He hid the lucky ticket in his wallet before cashing it in at Lottery Central in Lansing. He was undecided when it came to spending the money; however he knows he’s going to buy a new car.

Black purchased his lucky easy pick ticket at 7-Eleven 26636, 31430 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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