LANSING, May 17, 2002 – A lucky Kalamazoo man matched five numbers plus the Wild Ball in the April 27 Michigan Millions drawing to win an $11,516 prize!

The winning numbers for that day’s drawing were: 10, 25, 29, 33, 43, 45 and the Wild Ball number was 1.

In total for the April 27 Michigan Millions drawing, 1,483 winners shared $68,771 in prizes. In addition to the Kalamazoo winner, 13 winners matched five numbers to win a $979 prize; 23 winners matched four numbers plus the Wild Ball to win a $274 prize; 574 winners matched four numbers to win a $59 prize; and 872 winners matched three numbers plus the Wild Ball to win the $5 prize.

"I looked up the winning numbers in the Kalamazoo Gazette," the winner said. "I was very excited to see I had won a prize!"

The winning Michigan Millions "easy pick" ticket was purchased at Meijer #21, 5800 Gull Road, in Kalamazoo.

Prior to turning in the winning ticket at the Lottery’s regional office in Sterling Heights, the 72-year-old winner kept it in his wallet at all times to ensure its safety. The lucky man, who is retired, said he enjoys hunting in his free time. Though he said he has no special plans for his winnings at this time, there is no doubt he and his wife will enjoy their recent windfall!

The first Michigan Millions drawing was held Wednesday, February 28, 2001. Drawings are conducted twice a week—Wednesday and Saturday—at 7:28 p.m., and the cost to play is $1 per wager. Tickets are available at more than 6,400 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

To play Michigan Millions, players select six numbers from a field of 51, or use the "easy pick" feature in which the computer terminal randomly picks six of 51 numbers. During the drawing, the Lottery draws six numbers from a field of 51. Anyone matching these numbers wins the jackpot. The Lottery then draws a seventh number—the Wild Ball—from the remaining 45. Players matching five numbers and the Wild Ball will win an estimated $20,000 prize. There are four other ways to win, with and without the Wild Ball.

Cash prizes are awarded for matching six numbers, five numbers, five numbers plus the Wild Ball, four numbers, four numbers plus the Wild Ball and three numbers plus the Wild Ball. The top five prizes are pari-mutuel and may vary from drawing to drawing. Pari-mutuel prizes are based on the number of tickets sold and the number of winners at each prize level. The prize for matching three numbers plus the Wild Ball is always $5.

Michigan Millions drawings are conducted every Wednesday and Saturday. The estimated jackpot for the Saturday, May 18 drawing is $17.5 million.

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