LANSING, February 20, 2004 – 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 February 20, has been increased by another $8 million! The jackpot for tonight’s Mega Millions drawing now sits at $230 million!

If one winning ticket matches all six numbers in Friday night’s drawing and the player has selected annuity payments over 26 years, the $230 million jackpot would amount to pre-tax payments of roughly:

• $8.84 million per year;

• $170,100 per week; or

• $24,300 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 $136.1 million (before taxes), the estimated present cash value of Friday’s $230 million jackpot!

Mega Millions tickets are available in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington. Friday’s drawing will be conducted at 11 p.m. – live in Times Square in New York City – 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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