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Lottery News for June, 2001

Saturday, June 30, 2001

 – Congratulations to Jack Waters of San Francisco, California, who won $150 playing The Big Game online at PlayBigGame.com!  The lucky player picked the winning numbers himself, and matched 4 of the first 5 numbers for the prize.
 – Jackpot Winner!  There was one $9 million jackpot winner from Virginia in the Friday drawing.  More details to follow after the winner comes forward to claim their prize.
Also, one lucky player from New Jersey matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Friday, June 29, 2001

 – More on the big California lottery winner:
  • S.J. retiree claims lottery bonanza - San Jose Mercury News
  • Jackpot winner avoids media to claim prize - San Francisco Chronicle
  • Retired Supermarket Clerk Wins $141 Million Lottery - Reuters
  • The Winner Claims Lotto Mega-Prize - Los Angeles Times
  • Ex-Grocery Clerk Wins Calif. Lottery - AP
 – Ex-Grocery Clerk Wins Calif. Lottery.  A 66-year-old retired grocery clerk has come forward to claim a $141 million lottery prize, the largest single-state jackpot in U.S. history.  More:
  • S.J. retiree claims lottery bonanza - San Jose Mercury News
  • Retired grocery clerk claims $141 million California lottery jackpot - CNN
Detroit Resident Suprised by $150,000 Big Game Win.  Fred Davis of Detroit, Michigan was so excited upon discovering he had matched the first five numbers in the June 19 Big Game drawing to win a $150,000 prize that he had to lie down.
Big Game Cooks Up a $150,000 Prize for Michigan Resident.  Chou Ty of Holland, Michigan couldn't believe her eyes when she learned she had won a $150,000 prize in the June 19 Big Game drawing.
Luck Strikes Twice for North Carolina Big Game Player.  Keith Abbott of Oxford, North Carolina recently came to the Virginia Lottery's Central Virginia regional office in Farmville to claim a $150,000 Big Game prize – for the second time!
Andrew N.S. Glazer: This roulette is fair, but costly.  More on casino strategy, including blackjack and roulette...
Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $9 million Big Game drawing results!

Wednesday, June 27, 2001

 – California has long history of unclaimed lotto jackpots.  If nobody steps up to collect the $141 million lotto jackpot, it won't be the first time a prize goes unclaimed.
 – Sweepstakes giant agrees to $34 million settlement.  The nation's largest sweepstakes publisher has agreed to a $34 million settlement, the Colorado state attorney general said, and promised to change its practices after a lawsuit brought by 26 states, including Colorado.
Over $1.6 Million in Big Game $150,000 Prize-Winning Tickets Remain Unclaimed.  In Michigan, 11 $150,000 Big Game prize-winning tickets remain unclaimed.  Click over to the story for the location of where each ticket was sold.
Dearborn Lottery Club Claims $150,000 Big Game Prize.  The five members of the "5-C Lottery Club" of Dearborn, Michigan are celebrating the fact that they are $150,000 richer after winning a top Big Game prize.
Big Game Prize is Big Surprise For Michigan Resident.  Mariann Jacobsen of Troy, Michigan couldn’t believe her eyes when she discovered she had matched the first five numbers in the June 5 Big Game drawing to win a $150,000 prize.
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday drawing, but 1 lucky player from Illinois matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Tuesday, June 26, 2001

 – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $7 million Big Game drawing results!

Monday, June 25, 2001

 – Who wants to be a gazillionaire?.  A fantasy for lottery hopefuls can go something like this: A day after winning the jackpot, you walk into the factory where you've spent hours slumped over an assembly line, look for that obnoxious floor supervisor and tell him, with relish: "I quit!" Then walk off into the sunset - and into a life of luxury and leisure.  It could mean...
 – More on the big California jackpot winner:
  • Winning ticket bought in S.J., but who has it? - San Jose Mercury News
  • Happy but not surprised store owner to get $705,000 from Lotto - San Francisco Chronicle
  • San Jose Liquor Store Sells $141-Million Lotto Ticket - Los Angeles Times
 – Mousepad Sale!  For a limited time, Big Game mousepads are $5 off!  Now is the time to pick up a great mousepad to show everyone your winning spirit, in addition to reminding you to make sure you're entered for the big jackpot.  Also, be sure to check out the cool "I'm gonna win BIG" mugs, t-shirts, and sweatshirts.  Click over to the Big Game Gift Shop for pictures and to shop online.  Hurry!  The $5 off mousepad offer ends Saturday June 30th.
 – US woman killed in lottery rite.  An American woman whose body was found 19 months after she disappeared near her home in Malaysia was murdered in a bizarre ritual sacrifice to ascertain winning lottery numbers, according to police.
 – Single Winning Ticket in Calif. Lotto.  The largest single-state jackpot in U.S. history has a winner.  The ticket was purchased in San Jose, but the identity of the holder will not be known until it is redeemed.  The winner, who has 180 days to claim the record $141 million jackpot, could opt to take the money in 26 annual payments or a lump sum of about $70 million.  More:
  • San Jose store sells winning ticket for record lottery jackpot - San Jose Mercury News
  • Someone Has $141 Million Winning Lottery Ticket - Reuters
  • Record jackpot generates boom in lotto ticket sales - San Francisco Chronicle
  • Californian sitting on $141m fortune - BBC
  • Winning ticket sold in $141 million lottery jackpot - CNN
  • Despite the Odds, Record Jackpot Has Their Number - Los Angeles Times
  • One Winning Ticket in $141M Lotto - AP

Saturday, June 23, 2001

 – Congratulations to John Marble of Palmetto, Florida, who won $150 playing The Big Game online at PlayBigGame.com!  The lucky player picked the winning numbers himself, and matched 4 of the first 5 numbers for the prize.
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Friday drawing, but 2 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize: 1 in Georgia and 1 in Virginia.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Friday, June 22, 2001

 – 49 million reasons to smile.  A month and a half after he and 22 fellow airport cabbies won $49 million in a Big Game drawing, a judge in Atlanta ordered the lottery to pay out the cash.  This article gives an account of what several of the cabbies plan to do with the money.
Deal Struck to Bring Casinos to Western New York.  New York Gov. George Pataki and the Seneca Indian Nation have struck a deal to bring three Las Vegas-style casinos to western New York in a bid to directly compete with a casino and racetrack with slot machines in nearby Canada.
 – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $5 million Big Game drawing results!
 – Big News for Lottery Fans.  We are excited to announce the latest addition to our lottery web site family:

www.PlayNJLottery.com !

This brand new web site is the most fun and easy way to play the New Jersey state lottery from anywhere!

There are 2 games currently available online:

Pick 6 - Select 6 numbers from 1 to 49 - Pick 6 offers BIG multi-million jackpots with 2 drawing per week.

   *** Current jackpot: $13.5 MILLION!

Jersey Cash 5 - Select 5 numbers from 1 to 38 - for the frequent lottery player, or one who wants much better odds of winning, Jersey Cash 5 offers 5 drawings per week, Monday through Friday, with increased odds of winning the top prize.

PlayNJLottery.com has been months in the making, and we couldn't be more pleased at the result.

Stop by for a look and GOOD LUCK!

PlayNJLottery.com

Thursday, June 21, 2001

 – Cab drivers get disputed $90 million jackpot.  A group of 23 cab drivers claimed a $90 million Big Game jackpot Wednesday after fending off several of their colleagues in court.
$150,000 Big Game Prize Comes as a Big Surprise.  Lois Reed of Monroe, Michigan never dreamed she would win a top prize in The Big Game.  Reed matched the first five numbers in the January 5, 2001 drawing to win a $150,000 prize.

Wednesday, June 20, 2001

 – Jackpot Winner!  There was one $28 million jackpot winner from Chicago, Illinois in the Tuesday drawing.  More details to follow after the winner comes forward to claim their prize.
Also, 3 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize: 1 in Massachusetts and 2 in Michigan.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Tuesday, June 19, 2001

 – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $28 million Big Game drawing results!

Monday, June 18, 2001

 – He Takes His Time to Claim His Prize.  From the Los Angeles Times, another accounting of the events surrounding the last-minute Big Game winner.
First Michigan Millions Jackpot-Winning Ticket Sold in Detroit.  The Michigan Millions finally produces a winner.
Less than 24 hours left to play online for the second-largest jackpot in the United States -- $28 million!  Hurry over to PlayBigGame.com to place your order before the automatic cutoff at 2:00 PM Eastern Time Friday.

Saturday, June 16, 2001

 – Congratulations to Barbara Ford of Gastonia, North Carolina, 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.
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Friday drawing, but 1 lucky player from Illinois matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Friday, June 15, 2001

 – More information about the New Jersey man who claimed the $46 million Big Game jackpot:
  • Man Had $46M Ticket in Junk Drawer - Fox News
  • A winner pushes the envelope to riches - Newark Star-Ledger
  • Last-minute lottery winner claims $46 million - CNN
  • $46 Million Lottery Ticket Was in the Mail. Honest. - NY Times (registration req'd)
 – Man, 40, Claims $24 Million Prize.  A 40-year-old man came forward Friday to claim a multimillion-dollar lottery payout that nearly expired, saying he fished the ticket out of a drawer after hearing news reports about the jackpot.
 – News Alert: Winning $46M Lottery Ticket in Mail!  In an utterly shocking turn of events, the $46 million winning Big Game ticket was received by the New Jersey lottery with a June 7th postmark -- beating the claim deadline by two days!  The winner's name will be announced later today in a news conference.
News Alert: Nevada Gov. Signs Web Gambling Law.  It's now official: Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn has signed off on a law that allows Internet gambling casinos.
Lottery fails to excite; kids may pay price.  2001 is shaping up as a bad year for the Michigan Lottery -- and that's bad news for Michigan schoolchildren, the primary beneficiaries of lottery earnings.  (Thanks to BigGameLottery.com reader Tom Skiba for the link)
Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $25 million Big Game drawing results!

Thursday, June 14, 2001

 – Play The Big Game.  Less than 24 hours left to play for the $25 million Big Game jackpot at PlayBigGame.com!  The automatic purchase cutoff time is 2:00 PM Eastern Time tomorrow.
Big Game Prize is Dream Come True.  Eleanor DeBano of Shelby Township, Michigan was surprised to discover she had matched the first five numbers in the June 8 Big Game drawing to win a $150,000 prize.
Michigan Resident Thrilled to Win $150,000 Prize.  Kelly Cool of Holly, Michigan couldn't believe her eyes when she discovered she had matched the first five numbers in the April 27 Big Game drawing to win a $150,000 prize.
SC lottery deal nearly done.  Gov. Jim Hodges signed the South Carolina lottery law Wednesday.  But agreement between the Democratic governor and the Republican House majority on how to spend lottery profits eluded negotiators, threatening to shut down state government when the new fiscal year begins July 1.

Wednesday, June 13, 2001

 – Congratulations to Victor Shaw of Huntsville, Alabama, 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.
Lottery still waits for winner.  Despite a $39 million jackpot, the Michigan Millions doesn't sell a lot of tickets.  This article explores the reasons.
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday drawing, but 3 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize: 1 in New Jersey, 1 in Illinois, and 1 in Michigan.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Tuesday, June 12, 2001

 – Lotto Ticket Worth $23.7M Unclaimed.  This Associated Press article gives some amusing details of some people's efforts to convince lottery officials that they possessed the winning ticket.
Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $21 million Big Game drawing results!

Sunday, June 10, 2001

 – $46 Million Big Game Ticket Expires.  In case you were wondering what happens to the unclaimed prize money, it goes back to the seven Big Game states, each state receiving a proportion of the prize money equal to the proportion of Big Game ticket sales that state contributed.  The states typically apply the money to government programs similar to regular lottery proceeds.
Unclaimed Lottery Ticket Worth $23M.  The linked article has some amusing stories about what some people went through to find the missing Big Game ticket.
New Jersey Pick-6 Lotto Ticket Due to Expire June 22, 2001.  In case New Jersey residents haven't had enough of lost lottery tickets, another jackpot-winning ticket is missing somewhere in New Jersey.

Saturday, June 9, 2001

 – There was no jackpot winner in the Friday drawing, but 1 lucky player from Michigan matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Friday, June 8, 2001

 – Debate Raging Over N.J. Gambling Law.  A debate is raging over a new state law letting compulsive gamblers ban themselves from casinos, with officials discussing how to enforce the law without neglecting privacy concerns.
Time is Running Out For Michigan Lucky Lotto $1,039,242 Ticket Holder.  The winning Lotto ticket will expire at the close of business on Thursday, June 14, 2001.
Michigan Man Reels In a $150,000 Big Game Prize.  Jerry George of Farmington Hills, Michigan made the catch of the day when he matched the first five numbers in the April 17 Big Game drawing to win a $150,000 prize.
Michigan Lottery Club Wins $150,000 Big Game Prize.  The four members of the "Nedanis Lottery Club" of Flint, Michigan were shocked when they discovered they had won a top prize in The Big Game.
Big $150,000 Prize for Michigan Big Game Player.  John Recker of Wixom, Michigan said he was in "disbelief" when he looked at his Big Game ticket and realized he had matched the first five numbers in the May 29 drawing to win a $150,000 Big Game prize.
Andrew N.S. Glazer: Don't overlook women as rivals.  If you make the final table of the $10,000 buy-in championship event at the World Series of Poker, you're a poker legend.  If you win, you're a poker immortal, forever recognized at any card room you enter and always introduced as a former world champion.
Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $18 million Big Game drawing results!

Thursday, June 7, 2001

 – Man Gets Fired, Then Wins Lottery.  An Australian man fired from his job at a ferry-building company Friday learned hours later that he had won the $4.5 million jackpot in a nationwide lottery.
 – South Carolina Legislature Approves Lottery.  The South Carolina legislature approved a bill on Wednesday to start a state lottery.
 – The Big Game is now the 3rd largest lottery jackpot in the United States!  Don't be left out of the action: only one day left to play at PlayBigGame.com.  The top 5 lottery jackpot are:

1. $37 million, Michigan Millions (drawing Saturday, June 09, 2001)
2. $25 million, California SuperLotto Plus (drawing Saturday, June 09, 2001)
3. $18 million, The Big Game (drawing Friday, June 08, 2001)
4. $18 million, New York Lotto (drawing Saturday, June 09, 2001)
5. $16 million, Texas Lotto (drawing Saturday, June 09, 2001)
Internet lottos prized by Web surfers.  An interesting article that chronicles some jackpot winners on free online lottery sites -- and how the winners don't always get what they think they will.

Wednesday, June 6, 2001

 – Time is running out on $46 million Big Game prize.  Only 4 days left...
 – Nevada governor to sign online gaming bill - spokesman.  Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn will probably sign a bill now on his desk that could pave the way for his state to become the nation's first to offer legalized online gaming, his spokesman said on Tuesday.
Additional news stories regarding passage of the Nevada online gambling bill:
  • Nevada Lawmakers Approve Online Gambling (ECommerce Times)
  • Nevada Lawmakers OK Internet Gambling (CBS News)
  • Nevada gambles on Internet gaming (CNN)
  • Virtual Gambling Gets Real Approval (ABC News)
  • Nevada Passes Net Gambling Bill (Wired News)
  • Nevada lawmakers approve Internet gambling (SiliconValley.com)
  • Nevada Net Gaming May Be in Cards (Los Angeles Times)
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Tuesday drawing, but 2 lucky players matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize: 1 in Illinois and 1 in Michigan.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Tuesday, June 5, 2001

 – Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $14 million Big Game drawing results!
 – Nevada Internet gambling bill may alter federal government's position.  Following legislative approval of a bill allowing Nevada to become the first state in the nation to offer Internet gambling, Nevada state officials say court challenges could change the federal government's opposing position on online gaming.  Also, the linked article discusses New Jersey's attempt to beat Nevada to the punch.
Vegas gambles on cyberspace.  A US federal government ban on internet gambling has been costing the American gambling industry a huge amount of business.
 – News Alert: Nevada lawmakers OK Net betting.  The Nevada Legislature approved a bill Monday to allow licensed operators to offer Internet gambling as soon as state regulators can offer "reasonable assurance" that minors and players in jurisdictions where such games are illegal can be excluded.  Gov. Kenny Guinn is widely expected to sign the measure, which would make Nevada the first state to authorize online betting.
More: Online Gaming Bill Goes to Nevada Governor.  A bill that would help bring online gaming to Nevada passed an important hurdle on Monday when the state legislature passed the measure -- once thought to be dead -- and sent it to the governor for consideration.
Continuing coverage...  We'll continue to follow this important story as events unfold...
$46M question: 'Where's the winner?' Lottery jackpot sits unclaimed in N.J..  It's a dubious long shot: A lottery player beats odds of 76,275,360-to-1 to win a $46 million jackpot and then fails to claim it.
State looks at MotorCity records.  In Detroit, MotorCity Casino is being criticized for lax oversight that might have let more than 20 employees embezzle at least $100,000, Michigan's casino regulator said. It's the first state challenge of a Detroit casino's business practices.
Tribe said to want land for casino.  Nipmuc Indian leaders intent on opening a world-class gambling casino in Connecticut are negotiating to purchase property along a stretch of Interstate 84 in Sturbridge and Union, Connecticut, according to a tribal leader.

Monday, June 4, 2001

 – Michigan Man Wins $150,000 Big Game Prize.  Richard Chase of Romulus, Michigan was shocked when he discovered he had matched the first five numbers in the May 22 Big Game drawing to win a $150,000 prize.
Michigan Resident Reels in $150,000 Big Game Prize.  Harijs Markevics of Bath, Michigan made the catch of the day after matching the first five numbers in the May 25 Big Game drawing to win a $150,000 prize.
The Big Game has made it into the Top 5 jackpots in the United States for the first time since the $90 million jackpot was hit on May 4th.  Only 1 day left to play for the $14 million jackpot at PlayBigGame.com!  The top 5 jackpots in order are:

1. $37 million, Michigan Millions (drawing Wednesday, June 06, 2001)
2. $25 million, California SuperLotto Plus (drawing Wednesday, June 06, 2001)
3. $18 million, New York Lotto (drawing Wednesday, June 06, 2001)
4. $16 million, Texas Lotto (drawing Wednesday, June 06, 2001)
5. $14 million, The Big Game (drawing Tuesday, June 05, 2001)
Andrew N.S. Glazer: Tourneys offer shot at big payoff.  This article discusses how casino tournaments work.  Then on Friday look for the next article to see how the World Series -- held April 19 through May 18 this year -- came to occupy the summit.
Tribes Deal a Tough Hand to California's Card Clubs.  Just a decade ago, there were 454 so-called card clubs in California.  Today, there are believed to be fewer than 100--partly because the clubs' regular crowd is getting old, partly because government regulations have become too unwieldy for mom-and-pop three-table clubs, and, more recently, because of the widening impact of Native American gambling.

Saturday, June 2, 2001

 – Congratulations to John Davis of Jacksonville, Illinois, 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.
 – There was no jackpot winner in the Friday drawing, but 1 lucky player from New Jersey matched the first 5 numbers for a $150,000 prize.  For the complete rundown of winners by prize category, see the Winning Combinations page.

Friday, June 1, 2001

 – Cabbies to invest jackpot until lottery ruling issued.  Airport cabbies arguing over how to divide a $49.4 million lottery ticket can agree on one thing: the money should sit in the bank earning interest while the lawsuits drag on.  And at 5 percent interest, the winnings would generate about $50,000 per week.
 – Time Running Out to Claim $46M.  A tiny slip of flimsy paper is still worth $46 million, but it's not worth a cent come midnight June 9.
Don't forget to check back with us tonight at 11:00 PM Eastern Time for the live $11 million Big Game drawing results!

◄ July, 2001 May, 2001 ►

Marketplace

Mega Millions
Friday Jackpot
$368 Million
Powerball
Saturday Jackpot
$212 Million
SuperEnalotto
Friday Jackpot
$202.2 Million
Euro Millions
Friday Jackpot
$184.9 Million
EuroJackpot
Friday Jackpot
$31.4 Million
TX Lotto Texas
Saturday Jackpot
$10 Million
NY Lotto
Saturday Jackpot
$2.9 Million