Mega Millions excitement builds in Jacksonville ahead of Friday night’s drawing

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The second-largest Mega Millions jackpot ever has people all over buying tickets.

The projected jackpot? One billion dollars!

“I’ve been pretty excited for about the last three weeks watching it grow,” said Mega Millions player, Mike Edwards.

Action News Jax spoke to lottery players at Welcome Food Stores in Mandarin.

The store proudly displays a banner outside touting its past lottery success.

“15 million scratch-off winner sold here,” reads the banner outside.

“This is what brought me here, that big banner right there that says someone won 15 million,” said Mega Millions player, Terry Brooks.

So, what can you buy with a one-billion-dollar lump sum before taxes?

U.S. News and World Report list the Bugatti Chiron Pur Sport at $3.6 million. With $1 billion, you could buy 277 of them.

How about your own sports franchise?

According to Forbes, you’d have enough money to buy the Miami Marlins. The team was valued at $980 million in 2020.

Edwards and Brooks say they have other plans.

“I’ve pretty much got everything I need. I’d just give it to my kids!” Edwards said.

“I’d probably give some to charity, some to church and help family out!” Brooks said.

According to Mega Millions’ website, your odds of winning the big jackpot are 1 in 302,575,350.

“I feel lucky every night!” Brooks said.

Cox Media Group

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