LANSING, August 14, 2002 – Lee Walton of Detroit was surprised to learn he had won a $175,000 Mega Millions prize after matching the first five numbers in the August 9 drawing! The winning numbers for that day’s drawing were: 7, 17, 23, 43, 44 and the Gold Mega Ball number was 26.

The winning Mega Millions "easy pick" ticket was purchased at Clark Gas & M and H Mini Mart, 3300 E. 8 Mile Road, in Detroit.

"I was on a break at work when I looked up the winning numbers in the Detroit Free Press," Walton said. "I was disappointed that I didn’t match the Mega Ball number, but I had no idea what I had won for matching the first five numbers until I looked at a prize payout chart! When I saw that I had won $175,000, all I could say was, ‘Wow!’"

Niles, a regular Lottery player for the past 29 years, said he enjoys fishing and hunting in his free time. Though he said he has no specific plans for his winnings at this time, there is no doubt he will enjoy his recent Lottery windfall!

Walton encourages other Lottery hopefuls to "just keep playing!"

The last Big Game drawing took place on Tuesday, May 14. On Wednesday, May 15, The Big Game was replaced by Mega Millions. Mega Millions is a multistate lottery game in Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Virginia. Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at more than 7,000 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

Mega Millions drawings are conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m. The next Mega Millions drawing is Friday, August 16, with an estimated jackpot of $68 million. For more information about Mega Millions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s Web site, www.michigan.gov/lottery.

# # #