Scratch-off ticket wins honors as best new game; school aid fund shattered records this year.

The Michigan Lottery's decision earlier this year to go to the dogs has earned it a coveted prize of its own.

Michigan's "Lucky Dog" scratch-off ticket was named the best new instant game of the year by the North American Association of State and Provincial Lotteries, which includes 52 lotteries in the United States, Canada and Mexico. More than 2,350 instant games were in the running for the award, which was announced at the association's annual meeting in Chicago last weekend.

"It's an honor, and we're excited and proud," said Lottery Commissioner Gary Peters, who is searching for a spot to showcase the soon-to-arrive trophy.

Peters said the recognition is great. But on Tuesday he had even bigger news to report: for the third straight year, the Michigan Lottery has shattered records.

During the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, lottery sales were $2.2 billion — up 7 percent from the previous year.

Players collected $1.3 billion in prizes, up from $1.16 billion.

And the school aid fund, where lottery profits are shipped, collected $685 million for K-12 operations, up from $667 million.