Giving Back on “The Big Spin®” Show

SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gurmit Kaur from Artesia beat out nine other contestants for a chance to spin the big wheel. Kaur, who had her son on hand to translate for her, spun the wheel and landed a $75,000 prize. The “very happy” mother and son said that they would give some of the money to their church.

Donna Miller of Covelo was this week’s lucky Big Spin contestant. Her winning Scratchers® ticket sent her directly to the wheel. Miller’s spin landed her a $25,000 prize, and she looks forward to helping the more vulnerable members of our society – children, elderly and animals – with her winnings.

James Baxter, a custodian from Daly City, was “feeling great” as he stepped up to the Fantasy 5 Dream Machine. He was excited to share the experience with his mom, and, after his third ball landed him a total of $60,000, he “had to listen to mom” and stop. He plans to send his mom on a long-awaited pilgrimage with his winnings.

Carlos Marroquin of Los Angeles won $20,000 on the Fantasy 5 Dream Machine. His plans with the money were simple and like so many other California Lottery players – he wanted to help the family.

The grand total won by all contestants on this week’s episode was $202,500. Here are the big winners from this week’s show:

NAME		CITY		AMOUNT
Gurmit Kaur		Artesia		$75,000
James Baxter		Daly City		$60,000
Donna K. Miller		Covelo		$25,000
Carlos Marroquin		Los Angeles		$20,000

For high resolution photos of Gurmit Kaur, James Baxter, Donna Miller or Carlos Marroquin, please contact (916) 324-9639 or e-mail newsroom@calottery.com.

After 23 years on the air, “The Big Spin” will air its last show on January 10, 2009. Look for the new show, “Make Me a Millionaire®,” debuting on January 17, 2009. For more information on show times in your area and to see a sneak preview of “Make Me a Millionaire,” please visit www.calottery.com.

More than 95 cents of every Lottery dollar is returned to the community in the form of contributions to education, prizes and retail commissions. The California Lottery contributes at least 34 cents of every dollar that players spend on Lottery products to public education and returns more than 50 percent of sales to players in the form of prizes. Since its inception in 1985, the Lottery has contributed nearly $21 billion to California schools out of total sales of more than $56 billion. Retailers benefit too, earning $3.6 billion in compensation since 1985.

Please remember to use the California Lottery’s exciting new logo, which can be found at www.calottery.com/styleguide.