$640 MILLION: MEGA MANIA!

Mar 30, 2012, 12:21 pm (533 comments)

Mega Millions

Mega Millions buying frenzy sends jackpot beyond highest imagined amount

By Todd Northrop

Even the state lotteries offering Mega Millions did not imagine a jackpot this large.

When Mega Millions last changed its number matrix in June, 2005, the lotteries said that it created the possiblility "that could swell the game's jackpots as high as half a billion dollars."  (See Odds longer, prizes bigger as California joins Mega Millions, Lottery Post, June 22, 2005.)

Could they have imagined that the cash value of a jackpot would reach that high?  Or that it could produce an annuity worth $640 million?  Probably not.

But here it is, and everyone around the nation is talking about it — and buying crazy numbers of tickets.

The lotteries have had to revise the jackpot estimate an astonishing three times since early Wednesday morning, due to ticket sales that keep exceeding estimates.

"Huge doesn't begin to describe the size of this jackpot," said Maryland Lottery Director Stephen Martino. "We've actually had to deliver extra rolls of paper to our retailers to make sure they have enough to meet the demand for tickets."

The $640 million jackpot blows away the previous record by a whopping $250 million.  "This is about dreams," said Martino. "Even people who don't typically play begin envisioning what they would do with over half a billion dollars."

The rush of people trying to check their numbers on the Internet tonight will likely have most Web sites swamped.  Players are encouraged to check their numbers at USA Mega (www.usamega.com), which tends to survive incredible traffic volumes better than most state lottery Web sites.

"Players checking online should hang in there and refresh their Web browser every so often until they get through to the site," said Todd Northrop, founder of Lottery Post and USA Mega.  "The rush of traffic happens right at 11:00 Eastern Time, so waiting a half hour or so before checking the numbers will probably be easiest."

In the meantime, lottery players dreaming about what $640 million means to them after taxes have been withheld can check USA Mega's Jackpot Analysis page, which provides the information for each individual state.

Lottery Post Staff

Comments

Win$500Quick's avatarWin$500Quick

Speechless! The saga continues. I have not won yet and I already can't sleep.

Jill34786's avatarJill34786

I guest the MD website wasn't wrong after all!

maximumfun's avatarmaximumfun

This is beyond mind blowing in the amount.  Although I am still holding out for the j/p to get to 700M$ by the time of the draw.  And if we happen to NOT have a winner tonight; things are really going to get wild!

rad242

Lottery officials must be dizzy and working around the clock. Hmm..wondering if I should offer a coffee delivery service or set up my hot dog stand just outside the main door. Who has time for lunch in historic moments as these!

CollegeLad09

Wow....640 million...Just wow....

LottoGuyBC's avatarLottoGuyBC

$700M+ by draw time? Group Hug

Hurray!

CDanaT's avatarCDanaT

WAAAAAA HOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooo......go MM GO !!!

rad242

Quote: Originally posted by Jill34786 on Mar 30, 2012

I guest the MD website wasn't wrong after all!

Individual lotteries get such updates an hour in advance (minimum) with instructions to post at specific times. Of course eager beaver IT guys who wanted to get to lunch at noon on the dot posted a few minutes earlier than the official website. After you mentioned it I started scouting other websites and knew all couldn't be making the same "mistake".

maximumfun's avatarmaximumfun

Poor PB... our local store has sold 0 powerball tickets in the last 2 days. (no shock on my end)

Todd's avatarTodd

Quote: Originally posted by rad242 on Mar 30, 2012

Individual lotteries get such updates an hour in advance (minimum) with instructions to post at specific times. Of course eager beaver IT guys who wanted to get to lunch at noon on the dot posted a few minutes earlier than the official website. After you mentioned it I started scouting other websites and knew all couldn't be making the same "mistake".

I guess that's how USA Mega got it posted before noon too.  Except I still haven't taken a lunch break!  Wink

Jill34786's avatarJill34786

Quote: Originally posted by rad242 on Mar 30, 2012

Individual lotteries get such updates an hour in advance (minimum) with instructions to post at specific times. Of course eager beaver IT guys who wanted to get to lunch at noon on the dot posted a few minutes earlier than the official website. After you mentioned it I started scouting other websites and knew all couldn't be making the same "mistake".

I was leery myself as I didn't want to post a misleading number. Thanks for the info!

delS

This is a lifetime event.....  This has surpassed anyone's imagination!!!!!!!!!

I will do a lot of good all over the world.

MzDuffleBaglady's avatarMzDuffleBaglady

I joined in on the MANIA, lol

Picked 1 set of MM numbers, and bought 1 quick pick.

Good Luck tonight everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Party

 

 

My ticket still reads:  $540 Million.

JonnyBgood07's avatarJonnyBgood07

Holy Crap!!!!!...our pool at work have 100 tickets!

Please let it be!!!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!!!

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