Rosamond Resident Celebrates Year 2000 with $1 Million!

01.08.2000
Rosamond Resident Celebrates Year 2000 with $1 Million!

SACRAMENTO -- California Lottery's "Big Spin® 2000" show airs Saturday, January 8, 2000 in twelve television markets statewide. Contestants on this week's show won a total of $1,225,000.

"I would have been happy winning anything," exclaimed Kenny Romero "Big Spin 2000" newest million dollar winner, "and I won $1,000,000." Romero, a carpenter from Rosamond, had stopped in a store on his way to work to buy a Weekly Grand Scratchers® ticket, but decided to purchase a Big Spin 2000 Scratchers® ticket instead. That Scratchers® won him a trip to the "Big Spin® 2000" show when his ticket had three "TV SHOW" symbols on one ticket. Once on the show, Romero spun the largest prize wheel in the world and won $1,000,000! "When I came to the show, I was just hoping to win enough to fix up my truck, now I'll be able to buy a new one," said the elated Romero. Romero also plans to purchase a new home with part of his prize money.

Ernest Garcia from Monterey Park, had a good luck charm with a picture of his wife of 36 years and himself around his neck. Garcia won $25,000 playing California Gold and is not sure what he will do with the prize money he won. Other California Gold contestants won a total of $45,000.

"I want to take my wife on a trip," said Manuel Albanes of San Diego. Albanes won $85,000 and was this week's top Fantasy^TM 5 Dream Machine contestant. Albanes said he plans to enjoy his retirement and take his wife of 51 years on a trip.

"I'd like to put my prize money into fixing up my house, and put some money away for retirement," said Nancy McEnery a high school counselor from Napa. McEnery won $70,000 playing the Fantasy^TM 5 Dream Machine.

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. 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
Kenny Romero	Rosamond	$1,000,000
Manuel Albanez	San Diego	$85,000
Nancy McEnery	Napa	$70,000
Ernest Garcia	Monterey Park	$25,000
Other California Gold Winners		$45,000
		TOTAL $1,225,000

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2000 1st Quarter Press Releases: Article