The Green Ticket That Started It All
The Michigan Lottery launched on November 13, 1972 with the sale of its first instant game — the iconic Green Ticket. Michigan was among the earliest wave of modern state lotteries and has remained one of the most innovative ever since. That first year alone generated significant revenue, proving the public appetite for state-run gaming.
100% to the School Aid Fund
From the very beginning, all Michigan Lottery profits have gone to the School Aid Fund, supporting K-12 public education across the state. In fiscal year 2025 alone, the lottery contributed approximately $1.16 billion to Michigan schools. Since inception, cumulative contributions have surpassed $30 billion — making the lottery one of the single largest non-tax revenue sources for Michigan education.
Michigan-Exclusive Games
Fantasy 5 and Classic Lotto 47 are Michigan's own draw games, unavailable in any other state. Fantasy 5 uses a 5/39 format drawn daily, while Lotto 47 uses a 6/47 format drawn Wednesday and Saturday. Both games offer a Double Play add-on that gives players a second chance to win with the same numbers in a separate draw. These in-state games carry substantially better jackpot odds than multi-state games.
Pioneering Online Lottery
Michigan was one of the first states in the nation to launch online lottery sales (iLottery) in 2014. The platform allows players to purchase select draw games and instant-win games from their computer or mobile device. This move was controversial at the time — some retailers feared lost foot traffic — but Michigan's experience showed that online and in-store sales can coexist, with overall revenue growing after the iLottery launch.
Other Milestones
Michigan introduced Club Keno in 2003, bringing a fast-paced drawing game to bars and restaurants across the state. The lottery has also cycled through several multi-state games: Lucky for Life was available for years before being replaced by Millionaire for Life in February 2026. Through it all, Powerball and Mega Millions have remained staples of the Michigan lineup.
For a complete breakdown of every current Michigan draw game, see our Michigan Lottery Games Overview.