LANSING, July 8, 2002 – As of 11:30 a.m. today, lottery officials for the Mega Millions game announced that – due to solid ticket sales – the estimated jackpot for July 9, has been increased by $5 million! The jackpot for tomorrow night’s Mega Millions drawing now sits at $115 million!

If one winning ticket matches all six numbers in Tuesday night’s drawing and the player has selected annuity payments over 26 years, the $115 million jackpot would amount to pre-tax payments of roughly:

• $4.42 million per year;
• $85,059 per week; or
• $12,151 per day!

For those who prefer to take their cash winnings up-front, it’s a pretty nice payday as well.  If one lucky cash-option player matches all six winning numbers, he or she will take home a check for approximately $63 million (before taxes), the estimated present cash value of Tuesday’s $115 million jackpot!

Mega Millions tickets are available in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virginia. Tuesday’s drawing will be conducted at 11 p.m. and broadcast on cable superstation WGN out of Chicago as well as a network of Michigan stations (check local listings). For more information, you can also visit the Mega Millions Web site at: www.megamillions.com.

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