LANSING, January 19, 2000 — Edwin Douglass of Taylor knew he would win a big Michigan Lottery prize one day. That day came when Douglass matched the first five numbers in the January 7 Big Game drawing, making him the winner of the game’s $150,000 prize! That day’s winning numbers were: 1, 9, 23, 39, 41 and the Big Money Ball number was 15.

"I watched the drawing, wrote down the numbers and then checked my ticket," Douglass said. "I just about fell off my chair when I discovered I had won $150,000! I woke my wife up immediately to tell her we had won. The next morning I had to tell her again because she was sure she had dreamt it the night before. We were both so surprised — we still can hardly believe it!"

Douglass said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 27 years and his favorites are Michigan Lotto, the Daily 3 game, instant tickets and, of course, The Big Game. The lucky man purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Denny’s Den, 18641 Ecorse Road, in Allen Park.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Douglass kept it in his wallet to ensure its safety. The Taylor man said he hasn’t yet had time to think about what he wants to do with his winnings.

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, January 21, with an expected jackpot of $20 million.

###