Lucky Contestants Win $270,000 On 'Big Spin 2000' Show; Year 2000 Ended With Over $37 Million Given Away On Big Spin 2000

Business Wire, Jan 6, 2001

News Editors/Entertainment & Gaming Writers

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 6, 2001

California Lottery's "Big Spin(R) 2000" show airs Saturday, January 6, 2001, in twelve television markets statewide. Contestants on this week's show won a combined total of $270,000.

More than $37 million in prizes were given away in year 2000 on the "Big Spin(R) 2000" show.

Two Fantasy 5(TM) Dream Machine contestants won big bucks on this week's show winning a combined total of $145,000. After winning $70,000 on the Dream Machine, Customer Service Representative Sonny Young of Benicia said, "I've been very lucky lately." Young also recently received a promotion on his job and hit 5 out of 6 numbers on California Lottery's SuperLotto Plus game. "My wife and I are going to take a 10 day cruise with two friends of ours," said Young.

Fantasy 5(TM) Dream Machine contestant Claudia Fairweather of La Quinta said, "I'm going to buy a new car and invest the rest," after winning $75,000 on the Dream Machine.

This week's taping of the Big Spin(R) 2000 show hosted two California Gold games with a total of 20 contestants. Celestina Garcia of Lake Forest won $50,000 and William Chen of Pasadena won $30,000 after spinning the prize wheel.

"I'm going to share my prize money with my family and put a down payment on a home," said Garcia.

Chen, an engineer, said, "I'll use my prize money to contribute to my children's college education and help out my family and friends."

Other California Gold contestants won a combined total of $45,000.

The California Lottery sells its products through a network of more than 19,000 outlets statewide. The Lottery provides 52.5 percent of its revenues to players as prizes, 34 percent to public schools and 14 percent for administrative expenses, which includes 6.8 percent for retailer commissions. Since 1985, the Lottery has raised more than $12 billion for public schools. The California Lottery's contribution equals approximately 2 percent of the state's total education budget. "Big Spin(R) 2000" is the longest running Lottery game show in the country, airing continuously since 1985.

NAME                    CITY                           AMOUNT
Sonny Young             Benicia                        $   70,000
Claudia Fairweather     La Quinta                      $   75,000
Celestina Garcia        Lake Forest                    $   50,000
William Chen            Pasadena                       $   30,000
Other California Gold winners                          $   45,000

                                               TOTAL   $ 270,000

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