Modesto Man Wins $1 Million on ''The Big Spin'' Show!

Entertainment Editors/News Editors

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 3, 2003

California Lottery's "The Big Spin(R)" show airs Saturday, May 3, 2003, in twelve television markets statewide. Contestants on this week's show won a total of $1,087,500.

This week's finalist at the California Gold game was Larry Alexander, a maintenance worker from Modesto who won $1,000,000! Alexander said, "I'm going to quit my job and open my own business with this money." Alexander bought his lucky ticket at McHenry Avenue Chevron in Modesto. The second runner-up from the California Gold round was Aaron Miller, a retiree from Tulare, who won $5,000.

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 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.

The Spin-Spin-Spin contestant on this week's show was Francisco Joffroy, a maintenance supervisor from Ontario who won $30,000. Joffroy explained, "I plan to share this money with my family." Joffroy purchased his lucky ticket at Downtown Unocal in Victorville. Joffroy bought a "Big Spin" Scratchers(R) ticket which revealed three "SPIN" symbols on one ticket, that ticket entitled Joffroy to a direct trip to the prize wheel.

The Fantasy 5 contestant appearing on this week's show is Marilyn Rusyn, a retiree from La Grange. Rusyn won $35,000 and she explained her plans for this money, "I plan to have a big party with family." Rusyn bought her ticket at Raley's in Turlock.

Dream Machine players have up to five chances to launch a ball into one of the five bins in the pinball-type game. Each bin representing a cash amount. Prizes are cumulative, but only one ball may land in each bin to claim the prize amount. Players appearing on this segment qualify by mailing an entry form to the Lottery when $5 of Fantasy 5 games are purchased on one playslip.

The California Lottery sells its products through a network of more than 19,000 retail locations statewide. The Lottery provides 51.9 percent of its revenues to players as prizes, 34.9 percent to public schools and 13.2 percent for administrative expenses, which includes 6.8 percent for retailer commissions. Since 1985, the Lottery has raised more than $14 billion for public schools. The Lottery's contribution equals approximately 2 percent of the state's total education budget. "The Big Spin(R)" is the longest running Lottery game show in the country, airing continuously since 1985.

NAME                              CITY                     AMOUNT
Larry Alexander                   Modesto                  $ 1,000,000
Marilyn Rusyn                     La Grange                $    35,000
Francisco Joffroy                 Ontario                  $    30,000
Other California Gold Contestants                          $    22,500

                                            TOTAL          $ 1,087,500

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