Californians Win $257,500 On ``The Big Spin'' Show.

News Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 30, 2001

California Lottery's "The Big Spin(R)" show airs Saturday, June 30, 2001, in twelve television markets statewide. Contestants on this week's show won a total of $257,500.

First Lady Sharon Davis presented the "Hero In Education" award to the READ California's Advisory Council. Known as the California Page Flippers, the Page Flippers are comprised of 15 fourth through sixth graders representing cities throughout California. Page flippers serve as a means for children to interact with one another and discuss obstacles to reading. The Hero in Education program rewards outstanding volunteers who go the extra mile to help school children throughout our state.

Ranulfo Solano of Vista won $90,000 when he spun the largest prize wheel in the world and hit a triple plus $30,000. "I don't know what I'm going to do with the money," said Solano. Solano bought a "Big Spin" Scratchers(R) ticket which revealed three "SPIN" symbols on one ticket; that ticket entitled him to a direct trip to the prize wheel.

California Gold's top winner Victor Huerta of Atwater won $60,000 as he was cheered on by friends and family. "The first thing I want to do is put a down payment on a house," said Huerta. California Gold is another way to get to the wheel on "The Big Spin"show. The game starts with 10 contestants whose Big Spin Scratchers(R) tickets each revealed three "TV SHOW" symbols on one ticket. When instructed, each player pushes down a "detonator" to reveal a prize ranging from $1,750 to $4,000. Two of those contestants will reveal gold nuggets and advance to the second round of play. Once there, they compete to see who can get the closest to 10 units of "gold nuggets" in their mining car without going over. The winner of this round goes to "The Big Spin" prize wheel, while the other contestant wins $5,000. Other California Gold contestants won a combined total of $22,500.

Fantasy 5 contestant Jesse Nichols won $85,000. "I'm going to pay some bills and go to the Caribbean." Nichols was this week's Dream Machine player who released balls into the "pachinko style" game to total $85,000.

The California Lottery sells its products through a network of more than 19,000 outlets statewide. Lottery sales ending this fiscal year will total more than $2.87 billion with more than $1.055 billion to be distributed to California's schools. This is the highest contribution to California's public schools in the Lottery's 16 year history.

NAME                             CITY             AMOUNT
Ranulfo Solano                   Vista            $90,000
Victor Huerta                    Atwater          $60,000
Jesse Nichols                    Palo Alto        $85,000
Other California Gold Winners                     $22,500
                                        TOTAL   $ 257,500

Note: Additional information about the California Lottery may be found on our web site at http: www.calottery.com.