LANSING, November 25, 1998 – Robert Rowland of Toledo, Ohio recently won big bucks with the Michigan Lottery’s Big Game!  Rowland matched the first five numbers in the November 20 Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize. That day’s winning numbers were: 20, 40, 48, 49, 50 and the Big Money Ball number was 17.

"I saw the drawing results on television the day after the drawing on television," he said.  "I couldn’t believe I had the winning numbers!  No one was home at the time so I had no one to tell.  I was absolutely thrilled to win!"

The 63-year old retiree has been playing the Michigan Lottery for the past 26 years, and said he only plays The Big Game and Lotto.  Rowland said he plans to share his winnings with his children.  He purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Doug’s Party Store, 6721 Whiteford Center Road, in Lambertville.

This Big Game ticket was the third top prize-winning ticket that Doug’s Party Store has sold in just over a year!  In mid-September they sold a $100,000 Cash 5 winner and in September 1997, another $150,000 Big Game winning ticket was sold.  The store’s manager truly believes they are on a lucky streak!

"We’ve got the luckiest machine in the area," Melanie Beins, manager of Doug’s Party Store, said.  "We’re hoping to sell a jackpot winner next.  Stop in soon to get your winning ticket!"

The Big Game is a six-state lottery game which held its first drawing in September 1996.  Lotteries in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts and Virginia contribute to the joint prize pool.  Big Game drawings are conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.  The next Big Game drawing will be conducted Friday with a guaranteed $5 million jackpot.

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