Record $640 million Mega Millions jackpot has people buying tickets, but odds of winning long

With the multistate Mega Millions jackpot at a world-record $640 million Friday, lottery players across the country are wondering whether there’s a way to guarantee becoming an overnight multimillionaire.

5 Seconds

00:00

March 30, 2012

A customer smiles after receiving a free Mega Millions Lottery ticket from the Hoosier Lottery's Mega Millions mascot at a store in Zionsville, Ind. The Mega Millions Lottery jackpot has reached a record $640 million.

Michael Conroy / AP

March 29, 2012

Owner Eddie Patel sells Mega Millions tickets at Main Street Convenience in Larksville, Pa.

Kristen Mullen / AP

March 29, 2012

A customer collects lottery tickets that were purchased at a liquor store in Mountain View, Calif. The Mega Millions jackpot is now the largest in U.S. lottery history.

Paul Sakuma / AP

March 29, 2012

Giselle Docouto sits in a chair as she waits in line to purchase Mega Millions lottery tickets outside the Primm Valley Lotto Store in Primm, Nev. With a $640 million lottery jackpot up for grabs, Nevadans are waiting up to four hours in line to get their Mega Millions tickets. The Las Vegas Sun reports that some Las Vegans began lining up outside the Primm Valley Lotto Store at 6 a.m. on Thursday to get their $1 tickets.

Steve Marcus / AP

March 29, 2012

Reinaldo Nunley holds his Mega Millions lottery tickets outside the Primm Valley Lotto Store in Primm, Nev. Nunley said he bought 56 tickets because 56 is a lucky number for him.

Steve Marcus / AP

March 29, 2012

A multistate Mega Millions lottery ticket prints out at the Metro Center News Store in Washington, D.C.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

March 29, 2012

Temple Hills resident Kenny Ellis, among others, purchases Mega Millions lottery tickets at the Metro Center News Store in Washington, D.C.

Linda Davidson / The Washington Post

March 29, 2012

Nena Garcia collects her Mega Million tickets and change after buying $10 worth of lottery tickets in McAllen, Texas.

Gabe Hernandez / AP

March 29, 2012

Photos of recent winners are displayed as people prepare to buy lottery tickets at the Town and Country in McAllen, Texas.

Gabe Hernandez / AP

March 29, 2012

Employee Dena Scripkunas sells Mega Millions tickets at Thomas' Family Market in Kingston, Pa

Kristen Mullen / AP

March 29, 2012

Angela Rodriguez prepares Mega Millions lottery tickets for customers at the Town and Country in McAllen, Texas.

Gabe Hernandez / AP

March 29, 2012

A woman holds a Mega Millions lottery ticket in her mouth in Lawndale, Calif.

Jonathan Alcorn / Reuters

March 29, 2012

People stand in line as they prepare to buy lottery tickets at the Town and Country in McAllen, Texas.

Gabe Hernandez / AP

March 29, 2012

Brittany Plain collects Mega Millions lottery tickets for a customers at the Town and Country in McAllen, Texas.

Gabe Hernandez / AP

March 29, 2012

Frankie Majia of Costa Mesa smiles while holding a ticket for the Mega Millions lottery at Baycrest Liquor in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Mindy Schauer / AP

March 29, 2012

A sign is posted in front of Kanti's with the estimated value of the Mega Millions jackpot in Indianapolis.

Darron Cummings / AP

March 29, 2012

With the line stretching around the block, hundreds of people waited for more than two hours to buy Mega Millions lottery tickets at Blue Bird liquor store in Hawthorne, Calif.

Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

March 29, 2012

Lashawn Silver, left, looks on as Jesus Vazques helps her buy her Mega Millions tickets at Bluebird liquor store in Hawthorne, Calif.

Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

March 29, 2012

Veronica Balbas holds her Mega Millions lottery tickets for Friday's draw in Lawndale, California.

Jonathan Alcorn / Reuters

March 29, 2012

Suresh Kheradiya talks about the increase of sales in the Mega Millions tickets from his store in Indianapolis.

Darron Cummings / AP

March 29, 2012

Alfonso Mendoza collects his tickets for the Mega Millions jackpot at the Town and Country in McAllen, Texas.

Gabe Hernandez / AP

March 29, 2012

Alan Jolivett, at right, jokingly grabs his Mega Millions lottery tickets away from Bryan Lopez after the pair purchased some on their lunch break from Hoag Hospital, at Baycrest Liquor in Costa Mesa, Calif. Jolivett played the numbers found in his bosses' fortune cookie. The California Lottery named the store a "Lucky Retailer" because it has sold multiple winning tickets of $1 million or more.

Mindy Schauer / AP

Back to gallery

Discussion Policy | FAQ | About Discussions

Comments

Add your comment

Read what others are saying About Badges

SuperFan Badge

SuperFan badge holders consistently post smart, timely comments about Washington area sports and teams.

More about badges | Request a badge

Culture Connoisseur Badge

Culture Connoisseurs consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on the arts, lifestyle and entertainment.

More about badges | Request a badge

Fact Checker Badge

Fact Checkers contribute questions, information and facts to The Fact Checker.

More about badges | Request a badge

Washingtologist Badge

Washingtologists consistently post thought-provoking, timely comments on events, communities, and trends in the Washington area.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Writer Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post editor, reporter or producer.

Post Forum Badge

Post Forum members consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on politics, national and international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Weather Watcher Badge

Weather Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on climates and forecasts.

More about badges | Request a badge

World Watcher Badge

World Watchers consistently offer thought-provoking, timely comments on international affairs.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Contributor Badge

This commenter is a Washington Post contributor. Post contributors aren’t staff, but may write articles or columns. In some cases, contributors are sources or experts quoted in a story.

More about badges | Request a badge

Post Recommended

Washington Post reporters or editors recommend this comment or reader post.

You must be logged in to report a comment.

Comments our editors find particularly useful or relevant are displayed in Top Comments, as are comments by users with these badges: . Replies to those posts appear here, as well as posts by staff writers.

All comments are posted in the All Comments tab.

More about badges

Get a badge

To pause and restart automatic updates, click "Live" or "Paused". If paused, you'll be notified of the number of additional comments that have come in.