Michigan Lotteries

In 1972, voters approved a constitutional amendment enabling Michigan to operate a lottery system. The sale of lottery tickets provides funding for operations and the net income is transferred to the School Aid Fund for K-12 education. The lottery also provides $1 million a year to the Department of Community Health for gambling addiction programs. Lottery revenues make up approximately 6.5% of the Michigan School Aid Fund.

In 2013, the Lottery announced plans to sell Mega Millions, Powerball, Classic Lotto 47 and Fantasy 5 tickets over the internet.

The Michigan Lottery decision to sell lottery tickets online was controversial. Republican lawmakers rejected funding the launch of online lottery sales in the state budget; the state's attorney general opposed it as well because it was an expansion of gaming.

Gov. Rick Snyder pulled the plug on the "iLottery" program in June 2013, but the program finally launched in 2014.

Two bills (Senate Bills 0384/0339) were introduced in 2013 requiring lottery winners of prizes of $600 or more to reimburse the state for any funds received for public assistance over the past 10 years. Total reimbursement would be capped at 50% of lottery winnings. Both bills failed to make it out of committee.