LANSING, October 29, 1999 — Mark Edwards of Chesterfield is celebrating in a big way after winning a top prize in the Michigan Lottery’s Big Game! He matched the first five numbers in the October 22 Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize. That day’s winning numbers were: 3, 5, 33, 36, 40 and the Big Money Ball number was 29.
“I looked up the winning numbers on the Lottery’s Web site (www.state.mi.us/milottery), wrote them down and then left for work,” Edwards said. “Once I got to work I checked my ticket. I couldn’t believe my eyes! I then decided to check the winning numbers in the USA Today newspaper, then called the Lottery Link hotline (800-822-8888) and finally called the Lottery directly to verify that I really had the right numbers. I was completely surprised that I won!”
Edwards said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past four years, and his favorites are Michigan Lotto and The Big Game. He added that he “only likes to play the games that he knows could significantly change his life!” The lucky man purchased the winning Big Game “easy pick” ticket at Lakeside Convenience Center, 13630 Hall Road, in Sterling Heights.
Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, the winner said he kept it in his wallet to ensure its safety. Edwards, a computer enthusiast and avid sports fan, said he will use part of his winnings to pay bills, but he hasn’t decided what to do with the rest of it yet.
The winner said he believes anyone can win Lottery games, and he encourages other Lottery hopefuls to keep trying.
“Every week I see someone mentioned in the newspaper who has won a Lottery prize,” Edwards said. “I figure I might as well try to be one of those winners. After all, you can’t win unless you play!”
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 tonight (Friday), October 29, with an expected jackpot of $40 million!
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