- Title: 'I'm buying an island' - NYC buys tickets for $1 billion plus 'Mega' jackpot
- Date: 26th December 2024
- Summary: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (DECEMBER 26, 2024) (REUTERS) NEW YORK LOCAL, KENNETH, ENTERING “ANDY’S DELI” IN MIDTOWN MANHATTAN TO BUY TICKETS FOR MEGA MILLIONS $1.15 BILLION JACKPOT, AS HE SAYS (NOT A SOUNDBITE), “Okay, guys, here we go,” STORE ATTENDANT SAYS (NOT A SOUNDBITE), “You have winners?” KENNETH SAYS, “Let's check… [TICKETS PRINTED] If not, we're going to play back.” ATTENDANT SAYS, “Four dollars, ten,” KENNETH SAYING, “Oh, I got four dollar. Same ticket, same way. Okay, Andy, when I win. I'm buying you out. I'm buying the whole block.” SIGN FOR NEW YORK LOTTERY OUTSIDE DELI (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW YORK LOCAL, KENNETH, SAYING: “Well, my chance is one in zagillion. Who knows? If I win, I'm buying people out. I'm buying businesses. Buying up blocks. I'm buying an island. Okay? My whole family and my grands... I'm talking about wealth. I'll be okay.” TICKET BEING PRINTED FOR KENNETH, ATTENDANT, SAYING, (NOT A SOUNDBITE), “Ten dollars,” KENNETH SAYING, (NOT A SOUNDBITE), “There you go. I win $14, okay. Guys, I'm buying the whole block. And a island. You come to my island when I win, okay? MEGA MILLIONS CARD BEING SELECTED VARIOUS OF TICKET BEING FILLED OUT CARD BEING SUBMITTED TICKETS BEING SUBMITTED (SOUNDBITE) (English) ANDY'S DELI OWNER, ANDREAS FLORATOS, SAYING: “People very excited, you know, play the game. Every time the game goes high, everybody very excited. We sell a lot of tickets these days. You know.” [REPORTER SAYING: People still coming in, they're not just doing it online? They still come in here?” FLORATOS SAYING: ”Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.” FLORATOS GIVING CHANGE VARIOUS MORE OF TICKETS BEING SCANNED, SCANNER ANOTHER MEGA MILLIONS CUSTOMER NEW YORK RESIDENT, JOHN, OUTSIDE ANDY’S DELI (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW YORK RESIDENT, JOHN, SAYING: “It's fun, and, you know, it's a dream. I guess everyone has a dream where, ‘hey, if I win, what am I going to do with all the money?’ And a lot of people, I think the first thing that people should do if they win, find a good lawyer and keep your mouth shut.” VARIOUS OF NEW YORK STATE LOTTO WINNER SIGNS INSIDE ANDY’S DELI (SOUNDBITE) (English) NEW YORK RESIDENT, JOHN, SAYING: “Well, I do a pool actually with some of my colleagues, and I also do it by myself and a couple of my friends at home. I just do it, I don't know why, but hey, if you win, you win.” EXTERIOR OF ANDY’S DELI
- Embargoed: 9th January 2025 17:31
- Keywords: 'Hey Lottery Lotto Mega Millions NY Lottery you never know'
- Location: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- City: NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- Country: US
- Topics: North America,Human Interest/Brights/Odd News,Society/Social Issues
- Reuters ID: LVA001953626122024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: With the “Mega Millions” lottery jackpot rising to some $1.15 billion, customers were seen looking to try their chances in Midtown Manhattan Thursday (December 26).
The total pot marks the fifth largest in the history of the drawing, according to media reports.
And it has grown as a result of 100 days having passed since the last winner.
But that didn’t stop one New York local from brimming with confidence and plans on how he’ll spend the winnings.
“I’m buying an island,” says New York local, Kenneth, who purchased his ticket at Andy’s Deli. “Well, my chance is one in gagillion. Who knows?”
Drawings take place each Tuesday and Friday at 11 pm.
(Production by: Justin Nathanson, Dan Fastenberg) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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