LANSING, March 22, 2000 — James Tereau of Clio was stunned to discover he possessed a top prize-winning Michigan Lottery Big Game ticket! He could hardly believe his eyes when he saw he had matched the first five numbers in the March 14 Big Game drawing to win the $150,000 prize. That day’s winning numbers were: 1, 8, 9, 22, 47 and the Big Money Ball number was 27.

"I went to a store in my neighborhood to get the winning numbers," Tereau said. "I was completely shocked when they told me what the numbers were! You always think about winning the Lottery but you never expect to actually see the numbers on your ticket come up. My wife and I still can’t believe it — we just keep pinching ourselves to make sure this is really happening."

The retiree said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 27 years, and his favorites are Michigan Lotto and The Big Game. Tereau purchased the winning Big Game "easy pick" ticket at Vic’s Grocery, 10211 Clio Road, in Clio.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Tereau kept it in his pocket at all times to ensure its safety. The Clio man said he doesn’t have any plans for his winnings at this time. He said he is "still getting used to the idea" of having so much money!

Tereau offered the following words of encouragement to other Lottery hopefuls: "Just keep on trying, that’s the only way you can win!"

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, March 24, with an expected jackpot of $18 million.

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