Dreamers eye $330M Mega Millions jackpot
Store owner Hong Lee sells Frank Riola a Mega Millions ticket at Meadowbrook Deli in Merrick. (Jan 3. 2011) Credit: J. Conrad Williams Jr.
Dreamers will be chasing a $330-million Mega Millions jackpot Tuesday - just the fifth time in the game's history its jackpot has reached $300 million, the New York Lottery said Monday.
The jackpot had been expected to grow to $290 million after no winner emerged after Friday's drawing, which offered a $242-million grand prize. But thanks to what lottery officials call a "bump" - significantly higher ticket sales in the 41 states and the District of Columbia where the game is played - the jackpot has surpassed $300 million, spokeswoman Carolyn Hapeman said.
If there's only one winner, the lump-sum payment option would be $208.3 million, Hapeman said.
Tuesday's jackpot is the third highest since the Mega game began in 2002, behind $390 million won in March 2007 and $336 million in August 2009. In each case, two people split the winnings.
Since Nov. 12, when the jackpot opened at $12 million, New Yorkers have purchased $80.5 million worth of Mega Millions tickets, lottery officials said.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
Sarra Sounds Off, Season 3, Ep 4: Top football teams in action, fantasy update and plays of the week Gregg Sarra sounds off on the Nassau Conference II football matchup between Calhoun at Carey, plus the comeback story of New Hyde Park's Gabriel Peter, an update on the high school fantasy football standings and the plays of the week.
