MegaMillions Sales Boost Local Economy
By: Julie Musgrave
Updated: March 3, 2009
Lottery players across the state are trying to 'hit it big' tonight as the MegaMillions jackpot climbs to a massive $212 million.
Local stores today were filled with folks hoping to "strike it rich," even while economic times are tough. And at $212 million, that's a big enough number that no matter how much people are tightening their purse strings, tons of folks are still pressing their luck for the big bucks.
With the economy the way it is, several stores are seeing a drop in their general sales. However, convenience stores that participate in the lottery -- well, it's another story. A winning ticket tonight could be worth $8.1 million a year for the next 26 years with the annuity option. So while some folks are pulling back, that MegaMillions prize of $212 million is keeping lottery sales steady.
Robert Ramirez with King's Food Mart says folks have been coming in all day today, buying tickets for the drawing tonight, and not only for MegaMillions, but scratch offs too. Proving the economy may actually be increasing lottery sales, which of course is always good business for him.
Robert Ramirez, Owner, King's Food Mart: "The bigger the jackpot, you're just going to sell more. We're getting more hits now because the jackpots over $200 million. And the Texas Two Step is real big right now, so we're getting a lot of hits on that. We'll still sell more scratch offs than we will online games."
Keep it on KAMC 28 for Tuesday night's winning numbers.
