ITALY: 116 million Euro jackpot sparks a frenzy of ticket buying for the Italian lottery

Record ID: 572449

  • Title: ITALY: 116 million Euro jackpot sparks a frenzy of ticket buying for the Italian lottery
  • Date: 4th August 2009
  • Summary: MORE OF PEOPLE BUYING TICKETS
  • Embargoed: 19th August 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Lifestyle
  • Reuters ID: LVAC072FM5CARYABDDEQYSGC2NZV
  • Story Text: Aspiring millionaires bought their last tickets on Tuesday (August 4) as the Italian lottery jackpot rose to a record 115.9 million euros after seven months without a winner.
    As the summer holidays began, many Italians were trying their luck by filling in lotto betting slips in shops and tobacconists.
    "No, the amount is not so great, I would just keep it simple. I wouldn't do anything of complicated" said Urbano, a retired man who considered the prize too high.
    "I really don't know. I would do something for my country, for my family and for my partner" Aura, a Peruvian immigrant, told Reuters outside a tobacconist in Rome where she had just bought a ticket.
    Many people in Italy have said they would give money for charity because the amount of money was too great to be properly managed.
    "I would keep 30% for myself. With the rest of the money I would make a cultural and secular foundation. Because I think this money wouldn't really belong to me" said Rome resident Alice after she had bought her ticket.
    The lucky winner, if there is one, will be announced tonight, Tuesday, at 2030pm (18:30gmt).
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