MegaMillions jackpot grows past half $1 billion, and even first-timers are trying to win

ATLANTA — The jackpot for Mega Millions grew past half $1 billion, and now everyone is trying to win.

In addition to the usual lottery players, first-timers are coming up to the counter and playing the quick pick, some don’t even know the names of the games.

Channel 2′s Tyisha Fernandes was in Atlanta to speak with those gunning for the big jackpot.

While there’s always a big winner, even without the jackpot, there’s still more cash to win.

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All month long, people have been chipping away at the big jackpots, winning enough money to put a smile on your face.

When you buy a lottery ticket, whether it’s for Mega Millions or Powerball, the winning tickets do expire.

However, you still have six months to cash in on the win.

Speaking with customers buying lottery tickets at a local gas station, residents told Channel 2 Action News that they’d buy a few different things.

“First thing I would do is get my bills paid up and uh travel,” one lottery player said. “Probably pay off my house.”

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The Friday Mega Millions jackpot grew to $560 million and Saturday’s Powerball jackpot is up to $875 million.

A lot of people waiting to win could pick just one, so they’re playing both.

“I got both of them because I want that,” another player said.

The lottery isn’t winner takes all. People in metro Atlanta have been winning smaller prizes all month.

On July 1, two winners in Decatur and Ellabel got $50,000 each. Two days later, someone in Duluth won another $50,000.

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For Independence Day, three winners in Stone Mountain and Acworth won $10,000 each from playing Mega Millions, and the number of winners keeps growing.

The excitement and the wins are convincing other people into the fold.

Fernandes spoke with one woman at QuikTrip who had never played before.

“I’m playing because everyone is like you need to get out, you need to get a ticket,” she told Channel 2 Action News. “So, I’m like, ok, I’ll try, let’s go with it.”

Since 1993, when the Georgia Lottery started, it’s given $26 billion to Georgia education through the HOPE Scholarship program, helping more than two million students.

On top of all of that, Georgia’s Pre-K program has helped two million 4-year-olds.

Catch tonight’s Mega Millions jackpot drawing live on Channel 2, right before WSB Tonight at 11.

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