Friday 30 March 2012

Mega Millions Jackpot Increases to $640 million as US Lines Up for Tickets

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH: Odds of 1 in 176 million have not deterred pundits as lottery ticket lines across the US swelled with players drawn by a record $640 million (£400 million) Mega Millions jackpot.

In Arizona, a café worker reported selling $2,600 worth of tickets to one buyer. In Wisconsin, a retired soldier doubled his regular weekly ticket spending to $55.

"I feel like a fool throwing that kind of money away," said the soldier, Jesse Carter. "But it's a chance you take in life, with anything you do."

Kimberly Starks, a spokesman for the Georgia Lottery, said on Friday the jackpot had increased. The jackpot had stood at $540 million before the announcement. The previous record jackpot was $390 million in 2007.

Ticket buyers were converging on stores in 42 states and Washington, DC, where Mega Millions tickets are sold. The drawing was scheduled for late Friday night (4am BST) in Atlanta. » | AP | Friday, March 30, 2012

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