Michigan Lotto 47 Review

Lotteries that follow the classic single-matrix format are some of the most popular lotteries available today. That is because they are simple to play and offer the nostalgia of when lotteries first began. However, several lotteries today offer this experience with a few added twists—something we always love. In this Michigan Lotto 47 review, we will look at a lottery that is both a classic and yet still offers excellent new ways to win.

History

Michigan Lotto 47 launched on May 18, 2005. It is run by the Michigan Lottery—an independent agency founded in 1972 that reports directly to the Michigan governor.

The lottery, like all other lotteries run by the operator, was started as a fun way to raise funds that are used to benefit schools in the state and to promote education. In fact, the lottery operator is so committed to this that in 2019, 27 cents of every dollar went towards education in the state.

How to Play Michigan Lotto 47

Playing this lottery is very simple. All that you need to do is choose six unique numbers from a number range of 1 to 47. These numbers will need to match the numbers drawn for you to win a prize. And, if you’d rather not select your own numbers, the lottery features a quick pick option that allows a random number generator to choose your numbers for you.

Once you have selected your six numbers (or had them chosen for you by the quick pick), your next choice will be whether or not to enable the Double Play feature. This feature will use the same six numbers you have already selected and enter them into a second draw that takes place directly after the main lottery draw. This draw has its own paytable and gives you an extra shot at being a winner.

After you have decided about participating in the Double Play, you’ll have to decide if you would like to activate the EZ Match feature. This feature will print an additional ticket immediately when you purchase your ticket. If you match any of your numbers with the randomly selected numbers printed on the EZ Match, then you become the winner of an instant cash prize of up to $500.

The base cost of a ticket is $1. Each additional feature is also charged at $1. So, it will cost you $3 in total for a ticket that participates in the main draw, the Double Play draw, and grants you a chance to win with EZ Match.

Odds of Winning

The odds of becoming a jackpot winner of Michigan Lotto 47 and the Double Play draw are 1 in 10,737,573. These odds are not fantastic, but they are certainly not the worst that we have seen.

They are much better than US Powerball (1 in 292,201,338), but games like Austria Lotto offer bigger prizes at even better odds (1 in 8,145,060). However, the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 47. The jackpot for the main draw starts at a minimum of $1 million and is not limited to how large it may grow. The jackpot for the Double Play draw is set at a static $1.5 million.

Michigan Lotto 47 Payout Chart – Main Draw

Michigan Lotto 47 Payout Chart – Double Play Draw

Drawing Time

There are two draws each week that take place at 7:29 PM (EST) on Wednesday and Saturday. The results of the draws are published on the official lottery website shortly after the draw has concluded.

Biggest Jackpots

The most significant amount that the jackpot has grown to is an impressive $23.5 million. A lucky winner won this amount on March 1, 2008. This large amount is, however, a rare occurrence considering that the average jackpot paid out is around $3.8 million.

Payout Options

The lottery offers winners the choice between a cash lump sum or a 30-year annuity option. Selecting the cash option comes with a hefty penalty. Therefore, most winners opt for the 30-year annuity, as it pays out the full jackpot amount.

Taxes

Like many American states, all winnings above $5,000 in Michigan are subjected to state and federal taxes. State tax is levied at 4.25% and federal tax results in 24% being withheld. This means that a total of 28.25% of your winnings will be taken in tax before you receive anything at all.

How to Play Michigan Lotto 47 Online

Michigan Lotto 47 does seem to be listed on a small number of online lottery websites. However, none of these sites that we checked actually facilitate the purchase of tickets. Instead, they all direct back to the official lottery website. This is not a bad thing because it is possible to purchase tickets online from this site.

Michigan Lotto 47 – Is It Worth Playing?

Michigan Lotto 47 is the best of many worlds. It starts as a simple lottery that makes it easy and comfortable to play. Then, it goes beyond that by adding two great extras—Double Play and EZ Match. Besides, the lottery offers decent jackpots, acceptable odds, and two draws per week. So, in our books, this is a solid game that's certainly worth playing.

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