LANSING, September 27, 1999 — William Kerwin of Jackson was shocked to discover he possessed a top prize-winning Michigan Lottery Big Game ticket! He could hardly believe his eyes when he saw he had matched the first five numbers in the September 21 Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize. That day’s winning numbers were: 7, 16, 18, 35, 47 and the Big Money Ball number was 23.

"I stopped at the store to get the winning Big Game numbers," Kerwin said. "The store always posts the winning numbers on the wall. When I walked in I couldn’t believe what I saw! I was completely stunned and then very nervous all of a sudden!"

The Jackson man said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 27 years, and he truly enjoys the wide variety of games the Lottery offers. Kerwin purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Kellys Quik Stop, 3797 W. Michigan Ave., in Jackson.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Kerwin kept it in his wallet for safe-keeping. The lucky man said he doesn’t have any plans for his winnings yet — he added he is "still thinking about it!" The winner believes anyone can win Lottery games, and he urges other Lottery hopefuls to "keep playing!"

Jackson county is home to other lucky Big Game players too. Since the game debuted three years ago, five $150,000 Big Game prizes have been won by Jackson county residents. The most memorable prize, however, was a $45.6 million Big Game jackpot, won by the Jackson-based "Friends Forever" lottery club.

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 Tuesday, September 28, with an expected jackpot of $5 million.

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