The record-breaking Mega Millions jackpot has risen again today — to a whopping $640 million!
During Tuesday night’s drawing, the jackpot was $363 million, but grew several times over the past week as more and more people purchased tickets ahead of tonight’s 11 p.m. drawing.
There has not been a winner since the Jan. 24 drawing.
The previous record for the 42-state Mega Millions jackpot was $390 million in 2007, which was split by two winners in New Jersey and Georgia.
Officials said the odds of winning Mega Millions is at 1 in 176 million.
The lump sum payment is now worth $462 million, officials said, although the figure varies depending what state the ticket was purchased in.
This comes as people across New York continued to buy tickets.
Tristan Wheelock, 28, a photographer from Greenpoint, Brooklyn, said he would fulfill a dream by somehow booking a flight to outer space.
Afterward, “I’d buy an island for sure and a few homes,” Wheelock said. “Maybe I’d spend my Saturdays giving away $100 bills on the street just to see what would happen.”
Also among the dreamers was Illi Armijos, 31, the athletic director and basketball coach at Grace Church School, which is opening next fall in Brooklyn.
“I’d buy my school a $10 million gym. I want to win championships in a new gym,” he said.
Rusty Glasser, 27, of Brooklyn said he’d buy fancy cars, because it beats the other option — stealing one.
“I want a Maserati, an Aston Martin, a Lamborghini and a Ferrari. I’ve always been into cars. And this is better than stealing a car, which is what you think about when you’re younger,” Glasser said.
Flatbush teacher Marva Millington, 50, said she would use her millions to honor her mom.
“When I win Mega Millions, I’m going to open a domestic-violence center in my mother’s name, Clarissa Rebecca Millington, because so many women are abused, including myself. This is something we need,” she said.
Heartland Brewery bartender Justin Biondo, 41, bought $60 worth of tickets.
“I’m going to buy a bar. I’ll still be bartending, but only two days a week. The only difference is I’d own the bar,” Biondo said.
Wall Street tax lawyer Spencer Melder of Manhattan was going away for the weekend after buying his tickets — and vowed to stay away for good if he wins.
“I’ll be in Louisiana this weekend. So if I win, I won’t be coming back,” he said. “I’d have to get a house in south France.”
Even Hollywood wanted a piece of the action, with celebs tweeting that they were buying lottery tickets. Star Jones wrote, “Up watching @todayshow. About to roll out to @soulcycle, drop Pinky for a bath and buy my #lottery tickets. Gotta be in it to win it!”
“Today” host Hoda Kotb wrote that her family was “all over that lotto.”
Trey Songz seemed very excited about the prospect of winning, tweeting, “Virginia lottery half a billi…I’m finna get a couple tickets!!!”
Professional athletes were also intrigued by the chance of winning a half-billion dollars — no matter how slight the odds.
Washington Wizards rookie Chris Singleton said he planned to buy himself 10,000 chances at the prize.
“I’m about to drop 10000 on the lottery and cross my fingers #halfwaytoabillionaireifiwin,” the former Florida State star wrote on Twitter.
If Singleton’s substantial investment were to pay off, the amount in his bank account would be around the value of the team he plays for.
Forbes valued the Wizards at $328 million in late January, and the current lump-sum payout amount is more than the estimated worth of all but five NBA franchises.
Meanwhile, a quick scan of Twitter shows athletes across the sports world trying their luck.
Former Jets kicker, Jay Feely, who currently plays for the Cardinals, tweeted that he’s playing the lottery, too.
“I never play the lottery but I am tonight RT @djacobsonespn Got my mega millions tickets!! Can’t win if you don’t play”
“Honestly, if I won the mega millions lottery tonight I WOULDN’T stop kicking in NFL. I love being with my teammates coaches fans & the game,” he later added.
Ravens wide receiver Torrey Smith wrote, “If I win some money like six figures from this lotto thing … I’m blowing it haha I didn’t expect to win so it’s fun money.”
“This morning I got my coffee and contributed $20 to the lottery #YourWelcome,” California jockey Joe Talamo wrote.
US softball Olympian Cat Osterman said,”#IfIWonTheLottoIWould buy my mom her Porsche, my dad his house on a golf course, pay my brothers loans … Yes we bought 5 tickets!”
Other NFL players who tweeted their plans to buy tickets included Saints receiver Lance Moore, Falcons receiver Roddy White, Giants defensive end Justin Tuck and Bills linebacker Shawne Merriman.
With AP and NewsCore