Chance for Record Fans Lottery Fever
SACRAMENTO — Californians dreaming of a possible record jackpot of $62 million or more grabbed lotto tickets at the stunning rate Tuesday of up to 525 each second--15 times normal, state officials said.
Accountant Paul Littleton, 43, of San Francisco, was among those gambling only because of the size of the jackpot.
“The first thing I do when I read about the big money is get a ticket. It’s just like I feel I can’t miss my chance,” said Littleton, who bought 10 tickets.
Store clerks were startled at the pace of $1 ticket sales, which California Lottery officials said already has set records.
Current estimates are that the Lotto 6/49 winner who picks the six numbers out of 49 that match those drawn on television at 7:58 tonight will receive nearly $2.5 million a year, after taxes. If there are multiple winners, the jackpot will be divided among them.
Lottery director Chon Gutierrez said the prize may exceed California’s record jackpot of $61.98 million on Oct. 29, 1988, but the official estimate remained $60 million on Tuesday.
The jackpot ranks fourth in the nation, trailing a record $115-million lottery prize in Pennsylvania last year.
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