MI lottery to start online sales - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(02/28/13) - Some Michigan Lottery tickets will soon be sold online. This spring, the state will start selling subscriptions for Mega Millions and Powerball.

The 7-Eleven at Saginaw and Maple in Grand Blanc Township has its regulars. "Our customers like coming in to see us, we know their numbers and try to give that personalize care," said Stuart Bachner, Garb-ko field rep.

This spring, the state will start selling lottery subscriptions online. Customers can buy tickets for a set period of time. Mega Millions and Powerball will be part of that process. But some players don't seem eager to change their routine.

"I don't think I'd use a credit bard to buy a lottery ticket. At least I'd get exercise coming into the store buying it," said Tyler Boyd.

Kimberly Bohr plays for her dad. She'd probably make fewer trips to the store. "Personally, it would be better for me, because I'm the one who comes and plays for him, but it would be as good for the those stores though."

But Beatrice Drew already has her mind made up, she'll only a buy a ticket in store. "And cash into there too."

Local retailers count on the extra foot traffic on big jackpot days. They hope that won't change once tickets are available on the World Wide Web.

"A lot of people who do play lottery have a routine, like coming in, seeing the people every day and that's what I think won't change, it's the occasional players who may change, those are the people who take more advantage of this," Bachner said.

Subscriptions start this spring, while the launch of an expanded online program called iLottery is scheduled for years end.