There was a winning ticket for the now $319 million Mega Millions lottery jackpot—and it was sold at a convenience store in Albany! The AP reports, "New York Lottery spokeswoman Carolyn Hapeman says the winning jackpot ticket for Friday's drawing was sold at Coulson's News Center, located just a few blocks from the state Capitol."
The final day's sales bumped up the total jackpot by $7 million, which made this the fifth largest jackpot in Mega Millions history. Also: "It ranks as the largest jackpot for a single winning ticket in the game's history, eclipsing the $315 million prize sold in California in November 2005." However, we'll have to wait a few days before knowing whether a winner emerges, because the State Lottery office doesn't open up again till Monday. The winning numbers were 22, 24, 31, 52, and 54, and 4 as the Mega ball.
ABC News took a more critical view of Mega Millions' ads: "Given the long odds of winning tonight's $312 million Mega Millions jackpot, the lottery's website welcome page message to use your payout to 'Save For Retirement' is a curious one—and possibly a dangerous one, gambling experts say... You'll have better luck getting struck by lightning. And, given your life span you might have better odds of getting struck by lightning more than 5,000 times before winning the big prize Friday." Keith Whyte, executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, said, "I think it's a disappointing ad because the lottery is not a good way to save for retirement. We believe lottery advertisements should encourage people to play recreationally and responsibly. We're concerned about ads that imply lottery playing or gambling in general is a good way to make money—especially over a long period of time."
Hapeman defended the ad, explaining the ad is about people's dreams, "Playing the Mega Millions is not the way someone should try to better their financial situation but it's a nice way to save for your retirement should you win. It's a very bad idea to think you're going to better your situation with a wager on any lottery game."
