LANSING, June 14, 2000 — Julian Casper of Detroit raked in the big bucks after matching the first five numbers in the June 2 Big Game drawing, winning him a $150,000 prize! That day’s winning numbers were: 5, 24, 26, 39, 44 and the Big Money Ball number was 3.

"I saw the winning numbers in the Detroit Free Press," Casper said.  "I am a calm person by nature and I don’t get overly excited about things.  I remained calm when I saw I had matched five numbers, but I was still surprised I won!"

The retiree, who enjoys reading in his free time, said he has been playing Michigan Lottery games for the past 27 years, and his favorites are Michigan Lotto and The Big Game.

Casper purchased the winning Big Game ticket at In N Out Food Store, 14299 Houston Whittier S, in Detroit. He said he randomly picked the winning number combination on his own.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Casper said he kept it in "a safe place." The lucky man said he doesn’t have any special plans for his winnings at this time.

The winner said he believes anyone can win Lottery games and he encourages other Lottery hopefuls to "keep trying!"

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, June 16 with an expected jackpot of $7 million.

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