Big Spin® 2000 Contestants win over $292,000

06.26.1999
Big Spin® 2000 Contestants win over $292,000

SACRAMENTO -- The California Lottery's "Big Spin® 2000" show airs Saturday June 26, 1999 in twelve television markets statewide. Contestants on this week's show won a total of $292,500.

While waiting for gas, Eric Quaranta, a parts supply clerk from American Canyon, asked the sales clerk for a Scratchers® ticket. One ticket revealed three "Spin" symbols on it, which brought Quaranta to California Lottery's Big Spin® 2000 show. Quaranta spun the largest prize wheel in the world and won $100,000! He'll buy a truck, pay off bills and put the rest of his prize money into savings bonds.

Three players were looking for their slice of Fame & Fortune on this week's show. Vinay Shrivastava, a Professor of Broadcast at San Francisco State University, said "I hope I get a good grade from my students." And he did as this week's top Fame & Fortune winner. Shrivastava, from Bay Point, plans to pay off loans and re-visit Europe and Asia with his $75,000 win. Other Fame & Fortune winners were Irma Montenegro from La Quinta winning $10,000 and Luis Alvarez Jr. from Pomona taking home $5,000.

The Fantasy 5 Dream Machine hosted one contestant on this week's show. At first, Johnnie Johnson kept the fact that he was going to the show a secret from his family and friends. The secret was out and they watched him drop the Fantasy 5 Dream Machines balls getting $10,000 and $40,000 to win a total of $50,000. Johnson, a postal letter carrier from Los Angeles says, "…money comes easy and can go easy, so I'm going to parlay on my win and let it grow by investing it."

Hector Urquidi, a woodworker from Fremont, tried to win the Mother Lode playing California Gold, after receiving five tickets as a birthday present. The first ticket he scratched gave him $2, the next $10 and the last ticket had "TV Show" on it. Before he knew it, he was on his way. Urquidi said, "I knew I'd make it to the final round." Urquidi won $30,000 and plans to use the money to help his children.

The California Lottery sells its products through a network of more than 18,000 outlets statewide. The Lottery provides 52 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 $10.5 billion for public schools and has provided an annual average of approximately 38 percent of the Lottery's total revenues to schools. The California Lottery's contribution equals approximately 2 percent of the state's total education budget. "Big Spin® 2000" is the longest running Lottery game show in the country, airing continuously since 1985.

NAME	CITY	AMOUNT
Eric Quaranta	American Canyon	$ 100,000
Vinay Shrivastava	Bay Point	$ 75,000
Johnnie Johnson	Los Angeles	$ 50,000
Hector Urquidi	Fremont	$ 30,000
Irma Montenegro	La Quinta	$ 10,000
Luis Alvarez, Jr.	Pomona	$ 5,000
Other California Gold Winners		$ 22,500
		TOTAL $292,500

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1999 2nd Quarter Press Releases: Article