People dream big as lottery jackpots exceed $400 million

Local lottery ticket hopefuls dream of winning big

ROANOKE, Va. – The Powerball and Mega Millions jackpots are now each over $400 million and customers are cashing in at A-1 Food Mart in Roanoke hoping to cash out big.

“First off, I would probably give my family some money,” said Paul Fagg, who lives in Roanoke.

Fagg also said he’d like to give back to local animal shelters, “I love animals. I would love to help Angels of Assisi or SPCA.”

“New house, new car, vacation, plenty of good friends,” said Ricky Potter, another Roanoke man who bought lottery tickets.

[Here are Virginia’s ‘luckiest’ stores to buy a lottery ticket]

“Look at early child care centers and try to renovate them and give them money to help out,” said Blacksburg native Iris Flad. “You could do a lot with that money.”

”I’d probably buy the store,” said Nemo Basnet, who works at the mart. He sold a winning $1 million scratch-off ticket in October.

Since then, they’ve sold about $100 to $200 more a day in lottery tickets.

“We are a lucky store, so you can come and buy tickets and get lucky again,” said Basnet.

The chances of winning the jackpots are about 1 in 300 million.

Nevertheless, these hopefuls are taking the gamble.


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