Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Mega Millions lottery fever is running red hot, and nowhere is it more prevalent than in area shops and convenient stores where the lotto machines are humming with activity and spitting out the tickets that represent dreams.
Locally, convenience stores like Crosby's have been able to cash in on increased sales as a result of the Mega Millions jackpot hitting more than $1 billion. Crosby's says this comes at a perfect time as online sales have dug into sales.
David George with Crosby's says over the past 5 days, the stores have done about $1.9 million in sales. "It's a big increase," says George, who says it comes at the right time as forms of online gambling, including Jackpocket, which targets lottery players, are cutting into lottery sales. "We've seen a decrease in Lottery but certainly this huge jackpot is turning the corner there for us," notes George.
George says increased lottery sales is boosting food sales. "When you're in a Crosby's store, you smell some really great pizza. And, you know, when you're waiting in line for your lottery ticket, you're gonna be pretty tempted to put a slice in your mouth and, and so it's really helped us with inside sales," says George. But he admits recent jumps in gas prices have contributed to declines in fuel sales over the past 3 months.
George says the jackpot adds to a more fun experience. "Everybody's got a little comment on it. Everybody's thinking they're going to be a billionaire, which is, which would be fantastic for somebody if that were the case, but I think it probably lift everyone's spirits a little bit," says George. He notes he sees a lot more smiling faces at Crosby's.
Eddie Alabbadi of Al's Corner Store says his customers are excited. "They're happy, everybody's excited and talking about what they wanted to do with (the jackpot if they win)," says Alabbadi. He says he's seeing more of them daily, up to 200 more.
Alabbadi adds he's seeing more sales in his store. "They grab a lottery ticket even it's one lottery ticket, they come in grabbing a candy bar. We have a lot of sandwiches here, so they grab sandwiches, drinks, chips, everything," says Alabbadi.
The big question if you do win: Do you go with the lump sum or the annuity? Michael Angelucci of Level Financial says don't do as he does. "I would take the lump sum, then invest it and close the door to all my friends," says Angelucci, but he advises taking the annuity. "It will manage the cash flow that comes in. You hear stories about how they win millions and then theyre broke in a few years because they've spent all the money." He says an annuity helps control that.
The drawing is Friday night.
