Mega Millions Jackpot Has Millionaire Hopefuls Lining Up For A Chance To Win
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Another major Mega Millions jackpot has residents lining up for tickets and a chance to become a millionaire.
The jackpot is now up to $309 million, making it the ninth-largest prize in the game's history.
Mega Millions Jackpot Has Millionaire Hopefuls Lining Up For A Chance To Win
1010 WINS' Glenn Schuck spoke with aspiring millionaires on Tuesday, some of which said they would stick around New York if they won, even after the harsh winter we've had.
"I love New York too much to want to get out of here, but I could use a vacation. Go into the hot climate, come back...$309 million is a long vacation, but why not," one Mega Millions hopeful said.
"I'm a New Yorker, I'll stay. I could put up with a feet of snow, that's no problem," another resident said.
The jackpot is so large that even those who don't regularly play are tempted to try.
"Like everybody else, you see $309 million and when I get a chance I don't really play until it gets to about $100 million," said Steve. "The odds of getting it are one in how many million, so I figure we'll go for the big one."
Steve told Schuck he'd retire if he won the jackpot.
"Work is over, spread it amongst my family and friends," he said.
The odds of winning may be slim, but Ron told Schuck every time he plays he knows he's not winning.
"I always lose, which is predictable. I figure it's going to some poor soul out somewhere in the country whose gonna benefit from my buck and all the other bucks," Ron said. "It's a big responsibility to win that jackpot. I would take a year and plan out what I would do with a lot of other people."
Anthony said when you play the lottery, no matter how big the jackpot, your attitude must be this, "You put a dollar down if you win, you win, if you don't, you don't."
Wilson said he prefers the strategy of pooling money with coworkers to increase the chances of winning.
"I'm not gonna be in charge of the pool. We all print out copies and sign them. Everybody gets their signature so we all print them out and see what happens from there," he said.
Regardless of strategy, it seems the jackpot is just too big for many not to take notice.
The largest jackpot prize was $656 million, set in December 2012.
Check Out These Other Stories From CBSNewYork.com:
