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Lottery News for May 11, 2001

Friday, May 11, 2001

 – PlayBigGame.com Operational.  After about a day of downtime, PlayBigGame.com is back up and operational.  It is possible that over the next day or so there may be short periods of downtime, so if you happen to hit a snag just wait a few minutes and try again..
 – Update: Unfortunately, the PlayBigGame.com server problem is still being worked on, so the main pages still cannot be accessed.  You can, however, access the order system directly by clicking here: PlayBigGame.com Order System.
Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $7 million Big Game drawing results!

Thursday, May 10, 2001

 – Update: For those trying to get to PlayBigGame.com tonight, you may experience difficulties in getting onto the site for the next few hours.  This is related to a server issue (it's "technical" for the non-computer literate), and should be resolved sometime later this evening/early morning Friday.  However, if you're already familiar with PlayBigGame.com, you can go to the online order system by clicking this link: PlayBigGame.com Order System.
 – 14 Taxi Drivers Seek Lotto Winnings.  Fourteen taxi drivers are fighting over a $90 million lottery ticket, contending they were part of a pool that bought the ticket and are entitled to share the prize.
House barely OKs lottery bills.  In South Carolina, what was supposed to be routine final approval of lottery legislation in the House wasn't routine at all Tuesday.
Lottery Snubs Official Over Lost Ticket Couple.  British lottery organizers have rebuffed a government minister's advice that they hand over three million pounds to a couple who lost their winning ticket.

Wednesday, May 9, 2001

 – Taxi Story has Several Twists.  This evening the Georgia Lottery held a press conference in which further details emerged about the $90 million jackpot fiasco.  Click over to the story for the details.
 – News Alert: Taxi Tiff Prevents Big Game Payout.  A restraining order has been placed against the Georgia Lottery Corporation to prohibit the awarding of the recent $90 million jackpot.  The winning ticket was sold in Griffin, Georgia, and is worth a one-time cash payout of nearly $49.5 million.  Although the apparent winners of the big prize have not stepped forward, a dispute has eruped among several cab drivers who claim to hold the winning ticket.  Related story: Big Game Restraining Order a First.
 – S.C. House Passes Lottery Bill.  The state House approved its plan for a lottery Thursday, but imposed so many restrictions on the games that lottery backer Gov. Jim Hodges threatened a veto.
Lottery Host Claims Unfair Firing.  A host of the televised New York lottery drawing was fired after mistaking a 6-ball for a 9-ball during a live broadcast, lottery officials said.  But Reny Monk contends she was fired for refusing to smoke, drink and play "lottery jeopardy" with her bosses in a bar during a sales conference, the New York Post reported Thursday.
Ratliff to block Indian casino bill.  All it takes is the will of Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff to kill legislation that would legalize gambling under Texas law on all three of the state's American Indian reservations.
Panel Acts To Close Gambling Loophole.  A bill to ban betting on amateur sports cleared a key Senate committee yesterday after its supporters narrowly defeated an amendment that would have gutted the legislation.
Casino Evacuated After Fire .  In Robinsonville, Mississippi, a small fire broke out Friday at the Grand Casino and Hotel, sending smoke into the huge gambling hall.  Two workers were treated for smoke inhalation.
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday drawing, but 4 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize: 1 in New Jersey, 1 in Illinois, and 2 in Michigan.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Saturday, May 5, 2001

 – Congratulations to Gerard Pemberton of Port-of-Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, who won $150 playing The Big Game online at PlayBigGame.com!  The lucky player used a Quick Pick, and matched 4 of the first 5 numbers for the prize.
Also, congratulations to Craig DeBaun of Oceanside, New York, who won $100 playing The Big Game online at PlayBigGame.com!  The winner used a Quick Pick, and matched 3 of the first 5 numbers plus the Big Money Ball for the prize.
 – Jackpot Winner!  There was one $90 million jackpot winner from Georgia in the Friday drawing.  More details to follow after the winner comes forward to claim their prize.
Also, 8 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize: 1 in New Jersey, 2 in Georgia, 1 in Illinois, 1 in Massachusetts, 1 in Michigan, and 2 in Virginia.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Friday, May 4, 2001

 – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $90 million Big Game drawing results!  We're the only site on the Internet to bring you the results live as they're drawn.

Thursday, May 3, 2001

 – Michigan Man Collects $150,000 Prize in April 20 Big Game Drawing.  Phil Gullet of Willis, Michigan, a NASCAR racing fan, felt like he had won his own race when he learned he had matched the first five numbers in the April 20 drawing to win the $150,000 Big Game prize.
$90 Million and Counting!.  Some interesting information on The Big Game's current jackpot, including a breakdown of your what your winnings would be by day.
About Friday's Drawing:
Estimated Jackpot:
$90 MILLION.
Highest jackpot since:
Jan. 26, 2001 ($82 million, which rolled to $103 million and was hit on Jan. 30, 2001).
Last Jackpot won:
March 6, 2001 ($21 million – won in Maryland).  Jackpot has now rolled 16 draws without a winner.
If there is one winner, they will receive:
Cash Option: approx. $48 million before taxes; $32.6 million after taxes.
Annual Payout: approx. $3.4 million per year for 26 years before taxes; $2.3 million per year after taxes.
If no winner Friday, Tuesday’s jackpot will most likely be:
More than $100 million.

Wednesday, May 2, 2001

 – Jackpot Rolls to $90 Million!  With no jackpot winning ticket sold for the Tuesday drawing, The Big Game jackpot rolled to a astronomical $90 million for the Friday drawing!  If you're planning on playing over the Internet at PlayBigGame.com, be sure to beat the rush and get your order in now.
There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday drawing, but 5 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize: 2 in Illinois, 1 in Massachusetts, and 2 in Michigan.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Tuesday, May 1, 2001

 – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $77 million Big Game drawing results!

Monday, April 30, 2001

 – Did you know that if you win the $77 million Big Game jackpot and take the annuity option, you'll get about $2,961,538 per year for 26 years?  When you take out 28% federal income tax, that's still $2,132,307 per year!
 – The Big Game jackpot continues to lead the news, as it maintains its lead over the second-largest jackpot by more than double.  Remember, if you want to play online, you have until 2:00 PM Eastern Time Tuesday 5/1/2001 to place your order at PlayBigGame.com.  The top-5 jackpots in the United States are:

1. $77 million, The Big Game (drawing Tuesday, May 01, 2001)
2. $38 million, New York Lotto (drawing Wednesday, May 02, 2001)
3. $27 million, Michigan Millions (drawing Wednesday, May 02, 2001)
4. $26 million, New Jersey Pick 6 Lotto (drawing Monday, April 30, 2001)
5. $26 million, Ohio Super Lotto Plus (drawing Wednesday, May 02, 2001)
Andrew N.S. Glazer: Detroit's roulette is a loser's game.  Unfortunately, the way this most romantic and elite-looking game is played in America, it is a game only for people who can lose money quickly, because the house edge is an extremely high 5.26 percent.
Goodbye showgirls, hello Dali.  Las Vegas is not just for Wayne Newton anymore.  For years synonymous with showgirls, gambling, and glitz, Sin City is reinventing itself: High culture is the gambit this time, and, in true Vegas style, there's nothing small about these new ambitions.

Saturday, April 28, 2001

 – Congratulations to Forrest Hamilton of Toano, Virginia, who won $100 playing The Big Game online at PlayBigGame.com!  The lucky player used a Quick Pick, and matched 3 of the first 5 numbers plus the Big Money Ball for the prize.
 – Jackpot Rolls to $77 Million!  With no jackpot winning ticket sold for the Friday drawing, The Big Game jackpot rolled to a staggering $77 million for the Tuesday drawing!  If you're planning on playing over the Internet at PlayBigGame.com, be sure to beat the rush and get your order in now.
There was no jackpot winner in the Friday drawing, but 6 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize: 1 in New Jersey, 2 in Georgia, 1 in Massachusetts, and 2 in Michigan.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

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