LANSING, April 27, 2000 — So far this month $300,000 in top Michigan Lottery Big Game prizes have gone unclaimed. Unless one lucky Lottery player turns in his or her winning $150,000 Big Game ticket from the April 30, 1999 drawing very soon, the third Big Game prize in less than one month will expire! Lottery officials hope to hear from this individual before it’s too late. The prize is:

It is rare to see so many unclaimed prizes in one month, and the Lottery is hoping to avoid a repeat performance with this lucky Big Game ticket! Lottery Commissioner Don Gilmer is encouraging Lottery players all across the state to check their old Big Game tickets.

"If there is even a remote possibility that you purchased a Big Game ticket at Westside Beverage in Traverse City approximately a year ago, I urge you to dig up any old Lottery tickets you have lying around and check them immediately," Gilmer said. "One of those old tickets could bring you the windfall of a lifetime!"

Michigan Lottery players have one year from the draw date to claim any on-line prize. Because the one-year anniversary of this Big Game ticket falls on a Sunday when Lottery offices are closed, that ticket-holder will have until the close of business, Monday, May 1, 2000 to claim his or her prize.

If Michigan Lottery prizes are not claimed within the one-year period, they revert to the state School Aid Fund. For more information about any unclaimed Michigan Lottery prize, players can call (517) 335-5640.

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