Updated: February 21, 2004, 10:57 am
Updated: February 21, 2004, 1:14 pm
Tickets sold by the hundreds of thousands for the Mega Millions jackpot as would-be millionaires around the country bought chances to win a $230 million jackpot -- the largest in that lottery's history.
The 11-state jackpot led to higher ticket sales, despite the bleak odds of winning Friday -- one in 135,145,920, according to the Mega Millions Web site.
But someone who bought a ticket in Stephens City, Virginia managed to beat the odds to become the sole winner of the jackpot, according to the game's Web site.
The jackpot was the only topic of conversation at the convenience store where the ticket was sold, the Red Apple Shell station.
"Oh my gosh, you don't know how excited we are, and we didn't even win the ticket," said Dangie Robinson, a clerk at the station
She said the store was abuzz Saturday morning with news that the winning ticket was sold there and excited at the prospect of receiving money from lottery officials. Virginia Lottery Director Penelope Kyle said store owner Harry Simpson would receive $25,000.
56 tickets matched 5 numbers to win $175,000. Those tickets were distributed among the Mega Millions states as follows:
8 in New Jersey,
3 in Georgia,
5 in Illinois,
4 in Maryland,
3 in Michigan,
18 in New York,
7 in Ohio,
6 in Texas, and,
2 in Virginia.
The numbers drawn Friday night were: 1-13-20-21-30, and the Mega Ball was 24.
By midafternoon Friday, ticket sales in New Jersey had reached 500,000 per hour, said Virginia Bauer, executive director of the state lottery.
Lorine Clark of Hillside, Ill., bought tickets for herself and several co-workers Friday afternoon. Clark, who won $500 playing the lottery about 10 years ago, said she believes her chances for the jackpot are good.
"Of course I'm going to win. You have to think that way," she said. "If you believe it, hopefully it will come true."
In Georgia, more than $1 million in Mega Millions tickets were sold Friday before noon, said J.B. Landroche, spokesman for the Georgia Lottery.
In Ohio, 12,722 tickets were being sold each minute, said Mardele Cohen, spokeswoman for the Ohio Lottery.
States participating in the game are Georgia, Virginia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Texas and Washington.
Dean Cox / AP
Emcee Yolanda Vega rehearses for the drawing of the Mega Millions lottery at ABC studios in New York on Friday. The payout of at least $230 million is the highest jackpot in the lottery's two-year history.
That's a lot of money for one person. It's a whole new world and a whole new lifestyle. When you can do and buy anything, what do you do and buy? Maybe someday I'll get a chance to find out.
According to AP News, the ticket was sold at a gas station in Stephens City, VA, called the Red Apple Shell station. In addition to 56 2nd place winners, there were 209 who matched 4 white balls.
Well gang, unfortunately, it wasn't me that won. Although I was plenty close. I did have a few winning ticket's for some return on my investment though. LOL
If I told you how close I was, all of you would _ _ _ _. I'll tell you anyway...
I "wheeled" 25-number's for $50.00.
I had the #1, #13 and #20 on several ticket's. I had #21 in my "wheel" but it didn't come up as a "sequence" number. I was playing #31 and 32, and #30 "hit." I was playing #26, #27 and #28 as the MB, and #24 "hit." Whoever won it, only lives a short distance from me, providing they didn't come over the line to buy their ticket.
That's it in a nutshell... I really thought I had zero'ed in on this one...
By the way gang... I heard from Visiondudeto day and he is doing fine. He will be back up and running (hopefully) very shortly. he ask me to tell everyone hello at LP.
Sorry I didn't get a chance to post my number's Friday but I had to work late in DC and I take the train back to VA. I barely had enough time to buy my ticket's in the first place, and didn't get back in time to post.
As I seen the number's that hit on LP, my heart about feel at my feet, because I knew I was close from remembering what number's I had played.
Let's keep tryin', I know we can do it... Congrat's. to those who did win a few $.
Congrats to the l
Congratulations to the winner in Virginia.
I also have tried how many others from Berlin/Germany the jackpot to win.
But it unfortunately didn't work again.
I would nevertheless like to congratulate the winner right cordially from Virginia for the 230 million dollars.
Greeting from Berlin
robby.st.
Same here. Congrats... and let me rub you for luck. Ten mil is as good as 230 for us working types :)
>Same here. Congrats..
That's a lot of money for one person. It's a whole new world and a whole new lifestyle. When you can do and buy anything, what do you do and buy? Maybe someday I'll get a chance to find out.
I'd probably spend some time on this site... http://www.vladi-private-islands.de/sales_islands/sites/worldmap_e.html
That some one is lucky ... and if they can beat the odds they deserve it.
Now we need move on and look forward to the 10 million
maybe kbcherokee finally hit it big - haven;t heard from him yet.
According to AP News, the ticket was sold at a gas station in Stephens City, VA, called the Red Apple Shell station. In addition to 56 2nd place winners, there were 209 who matched 4 white balls.
plnwebguy
Didnt even see a post from him last night...HMMM hope he doesnt go underground on us!
Maybe the Chief lost h
that guy who won ruins it for everyone now since there will be no rollover. oh well, i wish i was him though
Tso-gali-I
Well gang, unfortunately, it wasn't me that won. Although I was plenty close. I did have a few winning ticket's for some return on my investment though. LOL
If I told you how close I was, all of you would _ _ _ _. I'll tell you anyway...
I "wheeled" 25-number's for $50.00.
I had the #1, #13 and #20 on several ticket's. I had #21 in my "wheel" but it didn't come up as a "sequence" number. I was playing #31 and 32, and #30 "hit." I was playing #26, #27 and #28 as the MB, and #24 "hit." Whoever won it, only lives a short distance from me, providing they didn't come over the line to buy their ticket.
That's it in a nutshell... I really thought I had zero'ed in on this one...
By the way gang... I heard from Visiondudeto day and he is doing fine. He will be back up and running (hopefully) very shortly. he ask me to tell everyone hello at LP.
Sorry I didn't get a chance to post my number's Friday but I had to work late in DC and I take the train back to VA. I barely had enough time to buy my ticket's in the first place, and didn't get back in time to post.
As I seen the number's that hit on LP, my heart about feel at my feet, because I knew I was close from remembering what number's I had played.
Let's keep tryin', I know we can do it... Congrat's. to those who did win a few $.
Chief
Chief,
Thanks for the update. Too bad it wasn't you!
And thank for the Visiondude update. We are all anxiously awaiting his return!