Big win sees Idaho lottery sales soar
Wednesday January 12th 2011Last week’s $380million Mega Millions lottery draw has caused a surge in ticket sales in north Idaho, where one of the winning slips was bought. A shop in Post Falls, close to the border with Washington state, sold a ticket worth $190million and the result has been a 55 per cent increase in sales, according to a report by Northwest Cable News.
And the town’s residents haven’t just caught Mega Millions fever - sales of other lottery games are up by 30 per cent. According to officials it is not unusual to see a significant uplift in sales following a big win as other players buy lotto tickets to test their luck.
In total, last Tuesday’s draw saw well over 12,000 players from the state pick up prizes. However, Idaho’s jackpot winner has yet to come forward and claim their prize. They will have the option of taking a lump sum of $80million in cash, after state and federal taxes have been deducted.
Last night’s Mega Millions draw saw four players match the five numbers and pick up $250,000 each, but no one managed to pick the Mega Ball and pocket the $20million jackpot. This Friday’s lottery prize fund is estimated at $30million.