LANSING, November 8, 2002 – Jason Kishmish of West Bloomfield recently saw his 40 cents worth of pocket change turn into a $5,640 prize while playing the Michigan Lottery’s Change Play game.

Kishmish, a 22-year-old student, purchased the winning ticket at Lahser Liquor Shoppe, 21559 W. 8 Mile Road, in Detroit.

"I picked up a winning number report from a Lottery retailer," said Kishmish. " I was completely shocked that the numbers on my ticket matched the winning numbers! I was equally surprised when I learned I had won more than $5,000!"

Kishmish said he kept the winning ticket hidden in a closet in his home to ensure its safety prior to turning it in to the Lottery’s regional office in Sterling Heights. The lucky winner said he plans to use his winnings to pay for his college tuition.

The first Change Play drawing took place on Monday, October 14, 2002 and drawings are held every night just after 9:00 p.m. Change Play allows players to use loose change from any purchase to buy a chance to win thousands of dollars with six guaranteed winners each day. The six winning tickets are randomly selected in a computerized drawing that picks from all the unique wagers placed that day. The six winners share the prize money from that day’s drawing, and their individual winnings are proportional to the amount they wagered on the winning ticket.