"This is a very exciting time:" Mega Millions jackpot approaching $400 million



MILWAUKEE -- You have a better chance of getting stuck by a meteor and getting attacked by a shark at the same time than you do winning both of these jackpots.



Lottery players have a chance to win a Mega Millions jackpot of $393 million in the Friday, August 11th drawing, which comes to an estimated $246.5 million cash payout.

"This is a very exciting time for all citizens in Wisconsin.  When the jackpots are high, all Wisconsin homeowners benefit from the increased sales that generate dollars for property tax relief," said Wisconsin Lottery Director Cindy Polzin.

Nemacheck said every week her and her coworkers pool their money together for lottery tickets.



"I bought 11 for Mega Millions, and one extra actually because we won $1 last week so we're ramping up. And I purchased $20 for Powerball," lottery player Sue Nemacheck said.



Lottery players said they know how they'd spend the money.

"I'd take care of my daughter and her husband, and my other daughter," lottery player Shirley Donaldson said.

Donaldson and her husband said if they won, the money would go towards helping their family.

"I wouldn't need near $400 million," Donaldson said.

"It's been crazy! Saturday night is going to be a big one, and tonight is going to be a big one," Kevin Wegner from Good to Go Quick Mart said. "A lot of people are going to be buying a lot of lotto."

What you do with your winnings is up to you, but that's only if you win.



"I would retire. I've been at my job for 38 years and I would retire and I would travel," Nemacheck said.

Tickets in hand, lottery players drive off -- all hoping to be the area's newest millionaire.

Tickets must be purchased by 9:00 p.m. to be included in the Friday, August 11 drawing:


    While the jackpot gets the most attention, there are other prizes to be won in Mega Millions.  Prizes range from $1 for matching just the Mega Ball to $1 million for matching all five numbers (but not the Mega Ball).  For an extra $1 per play, you can choose Megaplier to increase your non-jackpot winnings which will be multiplied by the drawing's Megaplier number.  For example, if your prize is $1 million and the Megaplier number is 5, you win $5 million just by adding Megaplier.

    The mission of Wisconsin Lottery is to provide property tax relief to Wisconsin homeowners.  Since the sale of the first lottery ticket in September 1988, the Lottery has generated: