LANSING, March 23, 1999 – Robert Ross of Warren said he has always known he would "win something big someday!" That prediction came true when Ross matched the first five numbers in the February 19 Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize.  That day’s winning numbers were: 1, 7, 16, 36, 40 and the Big Money Ball number was 10.

"I was taking a break at work one day, and I decided I would check a bunch of old tickets against the numbers listed on the Lottery’s Web site," Ross said.  "I usually check my tickets every couple of weeks or so.  I was completely surprised when I saw that I had matched five numbers on one of my Big Game tickets!  It is so exciting to be a big winner!"

The systems applications manager at Detroit Newspapers said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 13 years.  He said he especially likes playing The Big Game, Michigan Lotto and the instant games.

Ross, 44, purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Southland Corporation #13439 (7-Eleven), 29265 Dequindre Road, in Madison Heights.  Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Ross said he kept the ticket in his pillowcase overnight so nothing would happen to it!

The Warren man, who enjoys putting together model railroads in his free time, said he plans to invest half of his winnings and use the other half to make home improvements, pay bills and take a trip with his wife, Daria.  The lucky winner encourages other individuals to play Michigan Lottery games by saying: "If you don’t play, you can’t win!"

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 tonight, March 23 – the expected jackpot is $60 million!

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