LANSING, September 25, 2002 – When Craig Elliott of Auburn Hills recently purchased a Mega Millions ticket, he never dreamt he would win big. That’s why he could hardly believe his eyes when he matched the first five numbers in the September 20 drawing to win a $175,000 Mega Millions prize! That day’s winning numbers were: 1, 2, 4, 5, 46 and the Gold Mega Ball number was 8.

"I got home from work and looked up the winning numbers on the Lottery’s Web site (www.michigan.gov/lottery)," said the lucky winner. "When I saw the winning numbers matched the numbers on my ticket, I thought my eyes were going to pop out of my head!"

The winner purchased his winning Mega Millions ticket at 11 Mile & 75 Food Mart Inc., 2419 E 11 Mile Road, in Royal Oak.

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Elliott said he hid it in a file cabinet to ensure its safety. The winner, who is an assistant production editor for the Detroit News, and enjoys working with computers in his spare time, added that he plans to share his winnings with his children and use the rest to pay bills.

The last Big Game drawing took place on Tuesday, May 14, 2002. On Wednesday, May 15, 2002, The Big Game was replaced by Mega Millions. Mega Millions is a multistate lottery game in which the following states participate: Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Virginia and Washington. 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, September 27, with an estimated jackpot of $37 million. For more information about Mega Millions, visit the Michigan Lottery’s Web site at www.michigan.gov/lottery or the Mega Millions Web site at www.megamillions.com.

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