LANSING, September 21, 1999 — As summer 1999 draws to a close, so does the opportunity for one lucky Lottery player to cash in his or her winning $150,000 Big Game ticket! Autumn will officially be ushered in on Thursday, September 23, while the leaves on one Michigan Lottery player’s money tree will fall off just six days after that — Wednesday, September 29 to be exact — for a Big Game ticket purchased at Carters #09, 8135 W. Houghton Lake Drive, in Houghton Lake.

The lucky ticket matched the first five winning numbers in the September 29, 1998 Big Game drawing. The winning numbers that evening were: 1, 8, 18, 27, 38 and the Big Money Ball number was 24.

Michigan Lottery on-line prizes are valid for a period of one year from the draw date. Therefore, the winner will have until the close of business, Wednesday, September 29, 1999, to claim his or her prize.

Just last week, on September 13, another Big Game $150,000 prize went by unclaimed, and the Lottery is hoping to avoid a repeat performance with this lucky Big Game ticket! Lottery Commissioner Don Gilmer is encouraging Lottery players all across the state to take time out of their busy schedules this week to check their old Lottery tickets.

"As you are putting away your swimsuits and beach toys and breaking out your sweaters, boots and gloves, I urge you to take a minute and clean out your glove box, dresser drawer, wallet or wherever your favorite place to keep old Lottery tickets may be," said Michigan Lottery Commissioner Don Gilmer. "It could very well be the most valuable 15 minutes of cleaning you have ever done!"

If Michigan Lottery prizes are not claimed within the one year period, they revert to the state School Aid Fund. In the case of a Big Game prize, in which all Big Game states have contributed to funding the prize, Michigan’s allotted share of the prize money will be transferred to the School Aid Fund.

For more information about any unclaimed Michigan Lottery prize, players can call (517) 335-5640.

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