LANSING, April 13, 1999 – The phrase "it only takes one ticket" really does ring true for Lacel Orser of Owosso!  On the first Big Game ticket he ever purchased, Orcer matched the first five numbers in the April 2 drawing to win the $150,000 prize.  That day’s winning numbers were: 8, 25, 26, 28, 35 and the Big Money Ball number was 25.

"I saw the winning numbers in Sunday’s Detroit Free Press," Orser said.  "I knew I had won right away – I just didn’t know how much I had won!  I took the ticket back to the gas station where I purchased it and they verified that it was a winner. That is when I found out that I had won $150,000!  I was so excited and nervous – I am still numb!"

The retiree from Young Olds-Cadillac, who details used cars in his free time, said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 26 years.  He said he especially enjoys playing the Michigan Lotto and instant games.

Orcer, 67, purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Shell Food Mart, 109 Corunna Ave., in Owosso. Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Orcer said he placed it under his mattress for safe keeping!

The Owosso man said he is still unsure of what he will do with his winnings.  He said he will likely use part of the money to pay bills and possibly invest the rest.

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, April 13 – the expected jackpot is $7 million.

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