Stephanie Crockett is hoping for a little beginners luck tonight. "I just bought my first Mega Millions ticket ever," she said. "My girlfriend gave me the money, so I might have to split it with her if I win." But Crockett already knows how she would spend her millions.
"That would buy a lot of shoes, that's what it would do. I'd probably spend it primarily on family and then donate a lot," said Crockett.
"I don't want to work anymore. I'm just looking like everyone else in these tough times, to be set for life," said Mark Branch.
A luxury that people were lining up for today as time ticked to get your tickets.
Bo Monday rubbed his ticket on his bald head hoping for a stroke of luck. "My sons are always rubbing my head for good luck when they play sports, they have good luck with it so I figured i'd do it," he said.
And if his dollar leads to his dream and the jackpot, "I'd probably find a way to buy Cinderella's castle in Disney World and live there."
"When it's really big like this it's a lot of fun. We have a lot of offices coming in, some people taking one for the road," said Mike Glynn, owner of Rocky's News Stand. "It makes it a really exciting week."
At $355-million, the jackpot is the second largest in Mega Millions history. The biggest was in March of 2007 at $390-million.
As more people play, the prize grows. 42 states pay into the pot. It's estimated New Yorkers have already paid more than $80-million, generating more than $28-million for education statewide.
"I'd retire, pay off my college loans, move to a nice warm climate. My chances are pretty tough but you've got to play to win right, and hope that's all you can do," said Jeff Okon.
"I'd never work again," Rodney Bell said while chuckling. "I'm feeling kind of lucky. I'm going to make everyone I know a millionaire. I don't want all the money, I just want enough."
All it takes is one ticket, 6 matching numbers and a lot of luck to change your life. The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in more than 175-million. Unfortunately, it's more common to be struck by lightning. But many people will be crossing their fingers tonight, hoping to defy those odds and become the next multi-millionaire.
Central New Yorkers have claimed a big Mega Millions prize before. Read about it here.
How would you spend all that money?
Earlier Coverage:
The New York Lottery today announced the jackpot for tonight's Mega Millions drawing was bumped to $355,000,000.
The increase is thanks to strong sales of Mega Millions lottery tickets. If you happen to win, the cash value/lump sum for this jackpot is $224.2 million.
The lottery will be drawn tonight.
What would you do with $330,000,000? Well you could have that "problem" if you are the lucky winner in tonight's Mega Millions lottery game.
The multi-state lottery hit that mark Monday after going yet another week without anyone winning the jackpot. The $330,000,0000 drawing is the third largest since New York joined the multi-state game in 2002.
The New York Lottery says New York sales for the Mega Millions game have totaled more than $80,000,000 since the roll up for this jackpot began on September 21st; generating more than $28,000,000 for education.
