LANSING, July 29, 1999 – Bill Knapp of Detroit had the vacation of his dreams after purchasing a ticket that matched the first five numbers in the July 13 Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize!  That day’s winning numbers were: 1, 22, 33, 40, 43 and the Big Money Ball number was 2.

"I was vacationing up north and I saw a sign on the front of a store that said ‘Winners Sold Here,’ so I decided to buy a Big Game ticket there," Knapp said.  "I guess winners really are sold there!  What a pleasant surprise.  I didn’t even know that we had won $150,000 at first.  We looked up the prize structure in a Big Game brochure when we got home!"

The Detroit man said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 26 years, and his favorites are The Big Game, Michigan Lotto and instant games.

Knapp purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Hessel Grocery, Box 218 Pickford Ave., in Hessel.  Prior to turning the winning ticket it at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Knapp put it in his wallet for safe-keeping.

The avid fisherman and hunter said he plans to use part of his winnings to pay bills and save the rest for retirement.  The lucky man believes anyone can win Lottery games, and he urges other Lottery hopefuls to "just keep playing!"

The Big Game is a multistate lottery game in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia.  Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at more than 6,400 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

Big Game drawings are conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.  The next Big Game drawing is Friday, July 30, with an expected jackpot of $84 million!

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