Billion Dollar Golden Ticket Game Has Fallen Flat In Michigan

Back in July, the Michigan Lottery introduced a new $10 instant win ticket, which broke some new ground in potential payouts. The tickets sported a fairly standard top prize of $1 million, but it also offered another way to cash-in for up to $1 billion.

The game, dubbed Golden Ticket (and as you’ll see, draws heavily from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory), broke the lottery mold with its second-chance prize.

Despite the potential reward, Michiganders don’t appear smitten with the new game, as almost three months in, nearly 70 percent of the game’s prizes are unclaimed, including the three top prizes of $1 million.

According to the Michigan Lottery:

“Players have won more than $14 million playing GOLDEN TICKET™. More than $42.7 million in prizes remain, including three $1 million top prizes and 46 $10,000 prizes.”

Furthermore, when the game was announced, the Michigan Lottery said it planned to give away 15 prize packages in second-chance drawings. It seems the lottery has scaled that number back a bit.

After two of the scheduled five second-chance drawings, only four people have won a prize package, which includes a trip to Las Vegas and a crack at the grand prize of $1 billion.

In an update, the lottery said only six more winners will be drawn.

The lack of interest could stem from the onerous process of entering ticket codes from non-winning tickets in order to enter the second drawing. That issue has become such a concern that the Michigan Lottery is revamping its rewards program to simplify the process.

How the second chance drawing works

“Each $10 GOLDEN TICKET™ offers players 20 chances to instantly win prizes ranging from $10 up to $1 million,” The Michigan Lottery website explains. “Players also may enter codes from non-winning tickets for a chance to win one of 15 trips for two to Las Vegas and for the opportunity to play the BILLION DOLLAR CHALLENGE™ and a chance to win up to $1 billion.”

The second-chance winners will receive a trip for two to Las Vegas that includes:

• deluxe hotel accommodations for four days and three nights;
• round-trip airfare for two;
• ground transportation to and from the Las Vegas airport and hotel;
• $1,000 spending money

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