When the lottery's Mega Millions jackpot climbs into the stratosphere, people fork out the cash for tickets at local retailers, and the improving economy only helps the sales grow.
Marcee Watson, a cashier at Mike's Party Store in Yale, Michigan, said that she expects people to begin flooding area convenience stores to buy tickets for Tuesday night's Mega Millions drawing. The jackpot is expected to reach $177 million after a $150 million jackpot went without a winner Friday in each of the 11 states that participate in the game.
Players pick five numbers and a gold Mega Ball number ranging between 1 and 52.
Prizes are awarded to anyone who matches the Mega Ball -- worth $2 -- up to the jackpot for matching all five numbers and the Mega Ball.
"I'd say one out of every three customers has (bought a ticket) today," Watson said Sunday afternoon.
"When the jackpot gets high, you see more people."
The bigger the prize, the bigger the gamble, local lottery retailers said.
When jackpots reach $100 million or more, the number of people buying tickets and the number of tickets bought by each customer seems to increase, retailers said.
Joe Salamey said Sunday sales at his store were up about 25% for Friday's Mega Millions draw.
He expects business to stay strong.
"The bigger the pot, the crazier they get," said Salamey, manager of the Liquor Locker on 24th Street in Port Huron Township, Michigan.
"People want their dream."
Tom Gamble, 24, of Port Huron plans to spend $20.
"Why not," said Gamble, who bought 15 tickets for Friday's Mega Millions game.
"It's just a lot of money to win."
Although many people wait until Tuesday afternoon to buy tickets for the 11 p.m. draw, lottery officials often suggest that players make their purchase early, guarding against potential long lines. Also, if at the last minute a lottery machine breaks or if there is a network failure, procrastinating lottery players could be disappointed.
I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that it will roll to over 400 million. The tickets that I have purchased are good for the next 4 drawing, so I'm predicting (and hoping) that the jackpot keeps rolling.
it's really hard to say. when the big game and powerball were close to 350 mil. it only was at the 100 million mark for 2 drawing. now it's at 4 drawings and would probably stay at the 200 mark for 2 drawings. of course the lower the sales the more likely a rollover happens but it has more hoops to go through.
if sales are really through the roof though then one wonders why the jackpot amount didn't change.
I wonder if this run will produce a record for mega millions that will exceed Big Game's record?
I dont think so. Those days are gone.
I think it might roll into the 200 millions for one or two daws...whats the prediction on this rollover 205 miilion or higher!
I predict it will roll to $210 million.
Good luck,
Jake
I agree at least 210m.
I'm going to go out on a limb and predict that it will roll to over 400 million. The tickets that I have purchased are good for the next 4 drawing, so I'm predicting (and hoping) that the jackpot keeps rolling.
it's really hard to say. when the big game and powerball were close to 350 mil. it only was at the 100 million mark for 2 drawing. now it's at 4 drawings and would probably stay at the 200 mark for 2 drawings. of course the lower the sales the more likely a rollover happens but it has more hoops to go through.
if sales are really through the roof though then one wonders why the jackpot amount didn't change.
It will end tonight guys. I will see to that, it's all mine.
it will not end tonight
Tonight, I will win the lottery and take my family to Walt Disney World.
The winning ticket will be sold in Georgia.
Tonight is the night.
Good Luck to everyone
It's more of this crazy gothic guy who wins in Virginia ...
*grin*
... but good luck to me ... and good luck to all!
and take me there too