ATLANTA, February 6, 1998 – Big Game players now have two chances to win one of the nation’s largest lottery jackpots when the multistate game adds a second drawing on Tuesday, February 10, announced Virginia Lottery director Penelope Kyle at a press conference hosted by Georgia Lottery President Rebecca Paul for all of The Big Game states today in Atlanta.  The six states participating in The Big Game are Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts and Virginia.

"We are very excited to be able to offer the players in our states the opportunity for jackpots that can grow twice as fast," said Bill Martin, Commissioner of the Michigan Lottery.  "It will be twice as exciting and twice as fun," added Lori Montana, director of the Illinois Lottery.

The Big Game debuted in August 1996.  Since that time the jackpot has grown as high as $79 million, which was split between three winning tickets: one in Georgia and two in Massachusetts.  There have been 20 Big Game jackpot winners from the various states since the game’s inception.  Nationally, 28 million players have won over $480 million in The Big Game.

The Big Game offers nine ways to win – from $1 to the multimillion-dollar jackpot prize.  Players can win a prize for matching as few as one number.  The overall odds for winning a prize in The Big Game are 1 in 22.  Players matching all five numbers drawn out of the 50-number pool win $150,000.

Big Game drawings will be conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. Tonight’s (Feb. 6) Big Game jackpot is estimated at $11 million.

# # #