LANSING, January 26, 2000 — Joseph DeVuyst of St. Clair 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 January 21 Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize. That day’s winning numbers were: 4, 8, 12, 37, 45 and the Big Money Ball number was 21.

"I picked up a winning number report from the store and then went home to eat my lunch," DeVuyst said. "I checked my tickets against the winning number report after lunch and I could hardly believe what I was seeing. I had to look at the ticket over and over again to be sure I had matched five numbers. I was so surprised! When I told my children what I won none of them believed me."

The St. Clair man said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 27 years, and his favorites are Michigan Lotto, Cash 5, instant games and, of course, The Big Game! DeVuyst purchased the winning Big Game ticket at Keg and Kone Party Store, 1316 River Road, in St. Clair.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, the lucky man said he kept it in a "safe place." DeVuyst said he plans to use his winnings to purchase a new home.

The Big Game is a multistate lottery game in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia. Wagers cost $1 each and tickets can 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 28, with a guaranteed jackpot of $5 million.

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