GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — The hopeful should not be fooled by the Mega Millions jackpot signs on party store windows, which are stuck at a mere $999 million.
In reality, the jackpot has hit $1.22 billion, the fifth-highest ever.
That’s the gross national product of Turks and Caicos Islands.
Jackpot for Mega Millions over $1 billion after no numbers match on Christmas Eve drawing
“The sign doesn’t go any higher than 999,” said Grapevine Wine & Deli clerk Sherry Taber. “You should have just been here five minutes ago when a guy bought 50 tickets. It gets crazy.”
Marcus King heard it through the Grapevine, then bought some of his 20 tickets at the Grand Rapids party store.
“I don’t like buying them in the same store,” he said. “I go to different stores and buy them.”
His last big win: $8,000 about 25 years ago.
This time, the one-time cash payout would exceed $500 million.
“That would be a game changer,” King said. “I would love that. How many people I could help.”
He could also cover the payroll of a couple of NFL teams.