OSSINING, N.Y. With only a few hours left to Fridays Mega Millions drawing, Ossining residents poured into local gas stations and supermarkets hoping to grab the record $640 million jackpot.
Its up so high I have to buy a ticket, Patricia Richards of Ossining said Friday afternoon. I know a lot of people say it, but I need the money and my family needs that money.
The big prize skyrocketed nearly $200 million in the past two days and almost doubled Tuesday's $363 million mark, when no one picked all six numbers. Despite the odds of 1 in 176 million, its not stopping Ossining residents from giving it a shot.
Jose Delgado, who has owned Delgados Deli in Ossining for 10 years, said hes seen more than a hundred people grab tickets since the jackpot spiked to $640 million from $540 million Friday morning.
This is the first time Ive seen anything like this. From 6 oclock in the morning weve been getting people rushing in the whole time, Delgado said. One lady came in and bought $400 in tickets, and right after that someone came in and bought $300. Then I saw someone buying $200 in tickets. They do it for their companies, I know, but Ive never seen that much at once.
The rush has had an added perk for Delgado and other store owners.
A few people come and just get the tickets but not many, Delgado said. Almost everyone gets something little, like a drink or a sandwich or something like that. Its been great for business.
The previous record jackpot was $390 million, won on March 6, 2007. The game started in 1996, and now 42 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands participate.
Winning numbers are set to be announced at 11 p.m. on the Mega Millions website.
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