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Morning News

Big Game Hunters Blowing Through Chicago

Aired May 5, 2000 - 9:45 a.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

BILL HEMMER, CNN ANCHOR: Now, despite those dismal odds of winning it all, Big Game hunters turning out in droves to purchase those tickets.

Chicago, the Windy City, getting swept up in the frenzy right now. And Kim Johnson of our affiliate WGN now joins us live.

How goes it thus far this morning?

KIM JOHNSON, WGN REPORTER: Well, let me tell you, a few minute ago a man came in here and bought $100 worth of Big Game tickets. Yesterday someone came in here and bought $200 worth of Big Game tickets.

Now, what is it that makes people from all different backgrounds and professions converge on gas stations and convenience stores for slips of paper? Well, it must be the money.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

(voice-over): The sight of it, the sound of it, the feel of it. Is it a gamble? Absolutely. But people who want a chance to win the largest lottery pay out in Illinois history, $220 million, say they are willing to spend a buck or two for a ticket to a whole new point of view.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: $220 million you got a chance for a whole new life. Be great for the grand kids and the whole shot.

JOHNSON: A shot at the prize for the Big Game, a state lottery that includes Illinois, Georgia, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, and Virginia. If there's a winner, the $220 million Big Game prize in Illinois would be the second largest in U.S. history. In 1998, 13 construction workers split nearly $300 million in a Powerball drawing.

Now, there are some people who are not lottery regulars, but for $220 million, they felt the urge.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The last couple of days I have been picking up one every time I stop for coffee.

JOHNSON: Now, some purists may ask: Why spend money on a prize that seems nearly impossible to win? After all, the odds are one in 76 million. But it is the sight, the sound, the feel of an opportunity to challenge the odds, because hey, you never know.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: It's the fun in it. You know, you're taking a chance, don't spend a lot, just a little, who knows? You can win three numbers and get something.

JOHNSON (on camera): It's just the fun in it, it is not the money?

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: If you win, seriously, I'm going to be glad!

(END VIDEOTAPE)

JOHNSON: Now, for some people, perhaps $220 million is not a lot of money. I don't know those people, and the people we have been seeing here today don't feel that way either. They are waiting on the drawing that is set to take place later tonight.

Reporting live from Chicago, Kim Johnson.

Daryn, back to you.

HEMMER: Kim, thank you.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com

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