LANSING, October 20, 1999 — Frank Grzelakowski of Warren was bowled over when he discovered he possessed a top prize-winning Michigan Lottery Big Game ticket! He could hardly believe it when he saw he had matched the first five numbers in the October 12 Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize. That day’s winning numbers were: 11, 23, 27, 38, 45 and the Big Money Ball number was 32.

"I watched the Big Game drawing on WGN and almost flipped when I saw the numbers," Grzelakowski said. "I couldn’t believe that I had actually matched five, so I made sure I saw the numbers again on the WDIV-TV Channel 4 news. I called the Lottery office first thing Monday morning. My wife and I still can’t believe we actually won!"

When not bowling, the 68-year-old winner said he enjoys playing Michigan Lottery games. He added that he has been playing Lottery games for the past 27 years, and he truly enjoys the wide variety of games offered. Grzelakowski purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Bee Bees Liquor & Wine, 30913 Schoenherr Road, in Warren.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Grzelakowski kept it in a drawer to ensure its safety. The retiree said he plans to use his winnings to pay off his house so he can "burn the mortgage!" Grzelakowski said he felt very lucky to win and he wishes other Lottery players "good luck!"

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, October 22, with an expected jackpot of $30 million.

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