LANSING, April 18, 2000 — Dreams of instant wealth are swirling through the minds of Michigan Lottery players all across the state as the Michigan Lottery’s Big Game jackpot sits at an estimated $56 million for tonight’s (April 18) drawing!

"It’s hard not to think about what you could do with all that money when you know it could all be yours with just one lucky ticket," said Michigan Lottery Commissioner Don Gilmer. "We’re hoping a Michigan Lottery player gets to make that dream a reality tonight!"

If one player in Michigan were to have the only winning ticket to match all six Big Game numbers, it would be the largest jackpot ever awarded to a single ticket holder in Michigan Lottery history! The largest to date is the $45.6 million Big Game jackpot from the January 24, 1997 drawing; that prize was divided among the 17-member "Friends Forever" lottery club of Jackson.

If one winning ticket matches all six numbers and the player has selected annuity payments, before taxes it would amount roughly to:

• $2.15 million annually for 26 years; or
• $41,420 per week; or
• $5,917 per day!

A player who selects cash option for jackpot winnings would also have a nice payday. The present cash value of the $56 million jackpot is estimated at approximately $28.6 million, before taxes!

The Big Game offers nine ways to win cash prizes ranging from $1 to the jackpot, including a second-tier prize of $150,000 for matching the first five numbers. The other participating Big Game states are Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey and Virginia. To date, six Big Game jackpots have been won by Michigan Lottery players. Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at more than 6,400 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.