Contestants Win Over Half A Million Dollars

08.28.1999
Contestants Win Over Half A Million Dollars

SACRAMENTO -- The new California Lottery's "Big Spin® 2000" show airs Saturday August 28, 1999 in twelve television markets statewide. Contestants on this week's show won a total of $597,500.

Ron McMurray, a restoration contractor from West Hills, knew deep in his heart that he would make it to the show and win. McMurray spun the largest prize wheel in the world and it landed on "Triple". The excitement didn't stop there, he spun again and it landed on $100,000, which made McMurray's total win $300,000! McMurray has never left California, so he plans to do some traveling.

McMurray wasn't the only contestant to spin and get a "Triple". Ken Overcash, from Oxnard was this week's top California Gold winner. On Overcash's first spin of the wheel it also landed on "Triple", followed by $60,000 which made his grand total win $180,000. "Now I have the money I need to go back to school," said Overcash. Overcash will also be taking a vacation.

Astrid Warner, an account manager from Santa Clara dreamt her way to a cool $65,000 playing Fantasy 5^TM Dream Machine. Warner plans to visit her mother in Norway with her prize money. Next up to play was Christine Eduok, a customer service representative from San Diego. Eduok won $30,000 and plans to take a trip to Jamaica and Africa.

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 $11 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
Ron McMurray	West Hills	$ 300,000
Ken Overcash	Oxnard	$ 180,000
Astrid Warner	Santa Clara	$ 65,000
Christine Eduok	San Diego	$ 30,000
Other California Gold Winners		$ 22,500
		TOTAL $597,500

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1999 3rd Quarter Press Releases: Article