2003 3rd Quarter Press Releases

SACRAMENTO -- The California Lottery's "The Big Spin®" show airs every Saturday in 12 television markets statewide. A total of $297,500 was won by contestants who appeared on the show airing Saturday, September 13, 2003.

John Hindley

The "Fantasy 5 Dream Machine" contestants won a total of $215,000 on this week's show. The first "Fantasy 5 Dream Machine" contestant was John Hindley, a retiree from Diamond Bar who won $65,000. Hindley, who purchased his ticket at 7-Eleven in Diamond Bar, said, "I plan to invest my winnings." The second "Fantasy 5 Dream Machine" contestant was Marion Krasnow, a marketing assistant from Beverly Hills who won $60,000. Krasnow, who bought her ticket at All American Newsstand in Encino, said, "I'm going to invest my prize money and take a long cruise with my family."

Marion Krasnow

Next up at the "Fantasy 5 Dream Machine" was Tammie Galvan, a cashier from Newman who won $60,000. Galvan, who bought her ticket at Nash Road Mini Mart in Hollister, explained, "I plan to share this money with my family." The final "Fantasy 5 Dream Machine" contestant was William Burch Jr. from Stockton who won $30,000. Burch bought his ticket at Mowry 76 in Fremont.

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

The contestant that won a chance to spin the prize wheel from the California Gold elimination round was Delphine Cobb, a retiree from Hemet who won $60,000. Cobb, who bought her lucky ticket at Patton's Liquor in Hemet, commented, "I'm going to use my prize to go on a dream vacation." The second runner-up from the California Gold round was Sylvia De La Cruz, a cashier from San Pedro 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® 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 find 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 California Lottery sells its products through a network of more than 18,000 retail locations statewide. During Fiscal Year 2001/2002, the Lottery provided 51.9 percent of its revenues to players as prizes, 34.9 percent to public schools and 13.2 percent for administrative expenses, which included 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®" television show is the longest running lottery game show in the country, airing continuously since 1985.