LANSING, December 15, 2003 – Nayana Patel of Canton won big bucks upon matching the first five numbers in the December 5 Mega Millions drawing to win a $175,000 prize!  That day’s winning numbers were: 1, 12, 15, 18, 44 and the Gold Mega Ball number was 42. 

The winner, who works as a realtor, purchased the winning “easy-pick” Mega Millions ticket at 7-Eleven #24822, 7171 N. Canton Center Road, in Canton.

“I discovered I had a winning ticket when I went to a local Lottery retailer to get a winning number report,” said Patel. “When I realized I had matched the first five numbers to win a $175,000 prize I was completely shocked!  I am very happy to have a winning ticket!”

Prior to turning the winning ticket in at Lottery headquarters in Lansing, Patel said she kept it in her wallet at all times to ensure its safety.  The winner added that she, and her husband, Manish, plan to use part of the winnings to pay for their son’s college tuition and will invest the remainder for the future.

The winner offered the following words of encouragement to other Lottery hopefuls: “Try your luck!  You never know when you might win!”

Mega Millions is a multistate lottery game in which the following states participate: Michigan, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas, Virginia and Washington.  Wagers cost $1 each and tickets may be purchased at more than 7,200 Michigan Lottery retailers statewide.

Mega Millions drawings are conducted every Tuesday and Friday at 11 p.m.  The next Mega Millions drawing is Tuesday, December 16, with an estimated jackpot of $71 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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