Lottery business for the Mega Millions $103 million jackpot drawing tonight was unusually slow in downtown Detroit on Monday due largely to the closure of federal government offices, banks and financial markets for the Presidents' Day holiday.
But Hisham Haydous, manager of Wally's Convenience and Deli in the Murphy-Telegraph Building near Shelby and Congress, said things will be different today as workers return to their jobs.
"Many customers don't even play the Mega Millions lottery until the grand prize reaches 100 million," said Haydous, 19. "Once it gets that high, though, is when business gets brisk."
The jackpot rose to nine figures after no player matched all the winning numbers from Friday night's $85 million drawing.
Despite the tough economic times, Haydous said people aren't reluctant to risk a few bucks for the chance to win millions.
"What have you got to lose?" he said. "It's still a good bargain even if the odds aren't exactly in your favor."
Several blocks over at Walter's Pipe Shop on West Lafayette, where business was just as slow, owner Scott Justin had similar sentiments.
"The hundred-million-dollar mark is like a magic number," he explained. "We'll be much busier today, I guarantee it."
Mega Millions tickets, which can be bought in Michigan and 11 other states, must be purchased by 10:45 p.m. today for the 11 p.m. drawing.
The largest jackpot in Michigan lottery history was the $208 million Mega Millions jackpot won by Ralph and Mary Stebbins of Port Huron in April 2005.
Come on BIG MONEY!!!!
Daddy needs a new pair of shoes. And a new house, and well you get the picture!!
Mommy needs a new shoe store and a ware(house) to keep them!
Give me da money!
Not only will MegaMillions players be dreaming big but so will many of the clerks selling them their tickets. Many clerks will be saying "remember me if you win the jackpot" to all their customers. Unfortunately, players can only dream about one of their tickets winning while clerks can dream about one of their many customers winning and remembering them.
I like the odds of a clerk getting some of that jackpot money better than my own with 4 tickets with 5 lines, maybe I should volunteer as a clerk at a store selling MM tickets when its jackpot is $100M+.
MegaMillions - $103 Million
Powerball- 105 Million
I've made the trip to VA to get the MM ticket and I will get my PB in the morning! Wouldn't it be nice if the same person hit them both... lol.
Good LUck to all who are playing and posting.
KM
The number 100 sounds official, like 100% percent, and other things with 100...you get the idea. Going to get me some MM tickets tonight.
I passed through VA this past weekend and bought a MM ticket.
I can use a win also.
Haven't had full time job since 2001, and now disabled.
I actually know a clerk who sold a $220 million ticket to the winner.
He never saw the guy again.
I really don't understand why the clerk is owed something, to be honest. Most clerks act like they're doing you a favor when they sell a lottery ticket, although I've met some who say "It's part of the job."
Funny....We make a trip to CT for PB tickets and for MM its right around the corner here on City Island in the Bronx..
best of luck to all LP in tonights MM game...
In all my years playing MM or PB ,I have never had a clerk say anything like that..most clerks just say,""Good luck""
Me neither they just look at my numbers and wish me good luck. Good luck to all players.
Most of them don't even look at my numbers, just a few polite "good lucks" on occasion. I had one clerk say "it would be nice if someone local won a big one" but that is as close as I have been to clerks thinking a MM or PB winner would be thinking of them after they win.
I once put $100 on scratch offs and a clerk said,
"boy I sure wouldn't do that"
I was like...wow how rude. what was so funny was I won all my $$ back anyway
Don't really buy that many tickets, too many states involved. A few years
back, a 19 guys goes into 7eleven to buy his grandma some easy picks.
so he buys his self one easy pick. DO u know he won. Talk about LUCK
The jackpot for tonight is large I'd buy a few tickets if I was in the United States..