LANSING, April 2, 1999 – Robert Finan of Port Austin may have missed the Tuesday, March 30 Big Game jackpot by one number, but he was thrilled to have matched the first five numbers from that drawing to win the $150,000 prize.  That day’s winning numbers were: 4, 5, 27, 33, 41 and the Big Money Ball number was 9.

"After the Lottery informed the party store where I work that a $150,000 ticket was sold there I decided to check my ticket," Finan said.  "I was surprised, but happy, to see that I was the lucky winner!"

The 45-year-old Port Austin man said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 15 years, and he particularly enjoys The Big Game and the Michigan Lotto.

Finan purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Finan’s Store, Inc., 8687 Lake St., in Port Austin.  Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Finan kept it in a safe.  The avid outdoorsman said he is going to split his winnings with a friend and use his half to pay bills.

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.