LANSING, January 20, 2000 — Many a professional athlete has shouted, "I’m going to Disney World!" after winning a big game — and that is exactly what George Walker of Shelby Township plans to do after winning a big prize in the Michigan Lottery’s Big Game! Walker matched the first five numbers in the November 2 Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize. That day’s winning numbers were: 6, 10, 30, 31, 35 and the Big Money Ball number was 14.

"I knew the Big Game jackpot was high, so I decided to visit the 7-Eleven store around the corner to see if I had a winning ticket," Walker said. "I handed the ticket to the clerk and she checked it and said, ‘You just won a lot of money!’ I couldn’t believe it!"

Walker wasted no time letting his wife in on the good news. He said he called her immediately to tell her what had happened.

"I called my wife as soon as I left the store," Walker said. "I asked her if she was sitting down and she immediately assumed I had bad news for her. I said, ‘We just won $150,000!’ She was so surprised that she didn’t believe me at first. Neither one of us ever expected to win — especially a prize this big!"

When not collecting Lionel train sets, the winner said he enjoys playing Michigan Lottery games on occasion. He said he has been playing Lottery games off and on for the past 20 years, and he especially likes Michigan Lotto and The Big Game. Walker purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at 7-Eleven #13438, 4705 24 Mile Road, in Shelby Township.

Prior to turning the winning Big Game ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Walker kept it in a strong box to ensure its safety. The lucky man said he plans to use part of his winnings to take his family on a trip to Disney World and the rest to pay bills and make home improvements.

Walker believes anyone can win Lottery games, and he offered the following words of wisdom to other Lottery hopefuls: "You have to play to win! It’s all 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, January 21, with an expected jackpot of $20 million.

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