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N.H. buzzing for Mega Millions

$900M jackpot entices consumers to buy tickets

By Mathew Plamondon - Staff Writer | Oct 18, 2018

Staff photo by Mathew Plamondon Michael Henry purchases a Mega Millions lottery ticket at Fotene’s Market on West Hollis Street on Wednesday in hopes of hitting the $900 million jackpot.

NASHUA – New and old lottery players buzzed around local markets and variety stores Wednesday in hopes of landing the winning ticket in the $900 million Mega Millions jackpot.

The jackpot total is the second-largest in U.S. history. The next lottery drawing set for 11 p.m. Friday.

“I’ve never sold so many Mega Millions before 5:30 a.m.,” Zach Jensen, a store clerk at Fotene’s Market, located at 717 W. Hollis St. said. “Between 5-5:30 a.m., I was busy with people checking and playing tickets.”

The record jackpot is bringing in a lot of new faces to many of the lottery retailers in New Hampshire. Olga Katsopsis of Liamos Meat Market on Lake Street.

“People are coming in that we’ve never seen before,” Katsopsis said.

She also said with Mega Millions being such a high payout, it helps attract customers to other lottery products.

Other local businesses saw an upward trend in lottery sales. Kimberly Morency of J-Don’s State Line Variety on West Hollis Street said customers were buying multiple tickets, and that signage on gas pumps and in the store persuaded people to give the Mega Millions a shot.

“People come in after seeing signs on pumps, excited about buying tickets. They’re looking to get however many they can using the cash that they have,” she said.

Avid and novice lottery players took notice of the high jackpot payout. Along with new faces, there were many regular players testing their luck on Wednesday.

Noella Rivard, who stopped by J-Don’s, said she only plays the lottery when the jackpot totals get relatively high. She, as with many other players, seemed excited a the prospect of winning such an immense jackpot.

“I don’t know what I’ll do if I win – it will make a lot of people happy,” Rivard said, adding she would use the money on family members and charities because, “one person cannot spend that money alone.”

Other lottery players said they would use the money to secure their futures.

“I’d retire,” John Alden, formerly of Amherst, said, “not right away, though.” He said he would wait awhile so that his employer would not be disrupted by a sudden departure, even with a huge jackpot payout.

Michael Henry, a customer who purchased a ticket at Fotene’s, echoed Alden’s sentiment. Henry, whose birthday is right around the corner, said winning the money would be a good start to turning 62. Henry also said such a huge payout would be used to help his family, in addition to helping pay off his house and truck.

The excitement for the Mega Millions jackpot was also conveyed by New Hampshire Lottery spokesperson Maura McCann.

“As of noon, the jackpot was increased to $900 million, and it could go higher.” The highest Jackpot in state history was a $559.7 million dollar Powerball jackpot on Jan. 6. McCann said. “We haven’t had a Mega Millions winner to date. We’re hoping come Friday, we have a winner.”

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