ALBANY, GA -
Do you have Mega Millions fever? People around the country have bought about 1.5 billion tickets for Friday's record lottery jackpot.
That jackpot jumped even more Friday.
It's up to an astounding $640,000,000. You could do some incredible things with that much money.
The stores tell me they've been selling tickets all day and pretty steady for the last two days. This is the largest payout ever and get this the previous largest payout five years ago was split between someone in New Jersey and someone right here in Georgia.
The lottery buying frenzy continued today. Pushing the jackpot past yesterday's 540 million dollars to the delight of those who'd already bought tickets like workers at Southwest Georgia's Nephrology Clinic.
"No way, I knew it was like 540 million this morning, that's just even hard to believe right there," said Holli Sigmon, of Southwest Georgia Nephrology Clinic which bought 62 tickets.
Lengthening the wish lists of those hoping for the largest payout ever.
"I'd buy me a house and everything, I'd give to the community, my family," said Ursula Clark, Mega Millions Ticket Holder.
"I would travel, get a home, car, send the kids to collage, my family," said Tamandra Tucker, another Mega Millions Ticket Holder.
If you choose the cash option, you'll end up with 300 million dollars, after taxes. We decided to see what that might buy. How about a mansion on Star Island in Miami-Dade County at $35,000,000 you could buy 8 or 120 private islands in the Seychelles off of Africa, a steal at 2.5 million dollars. How about a new car, a Mercedes SL550.
"New, it was right at $120,000 new," said Eric Faircloth, President of Faircloth & Sons.
This ones a steal, four years old at $60,000
"Several, to put in the garage, for you your friends your family," said Faircloth.
Allen's Jewels catered to Albany's last 12 million dollar lottery winners.
"You got a four carat diamond here for $40,000, that's $10,000 a carat. We got a 2.5 carat oval that's $23,000 got a sapphire ring here that's $22,000 an emerald ring for $20,000, this is a really nice ruby ring at $30,000," said Steve Allen, of Allen's Jewelers.
Albany Travel suggests a 143 day Regent Cruise line cruise from Rome to Beijing in the master suit with a private butler just $520,000 or a private Travcoa flight around the world to 23 cities at just $67,000. Some are hoping for the smallest windfall.
"I played all 46 Mega ball numbers so I'm guaranteed something, whether it's a dollars or two but I'm guaranteed something," said Leroy Baker, a Mega Millions Ticket Holder.
Just to be a winner.
There still more ticket buying to happen before Friday night's 11:00 PM drawing.
The $640,000,000 jackpot is a world record. The previous record in this country was a mere $390,000,000.
Copyright 2012 WALB. All rights reserved.
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