Mega Jackpot: What Would You Do With $640 Million?

A jackpot expected to be at least $640 million -- the highest lottery jackpot ever -- will be on the line tonight in the multistate Mega Millions game.   

The Mega Millions game is played in 41 states, the District of Columbia
and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The odds of matching all five numbers and the Mega number is 1 in 175,711,536, according to the Mega Millions website. The overall chance of winning a prize is 1 in 40.   

According to the California Lottery, the cash payout for a single jackpot winner in tonight's drawing would be at least $462 million. If a winner chooses the annual payment option, it would be at leas $24.6 million a year for 26 years -- before taxes. The retailer who sells the winning ticket will receive a bonus of $1 million.   

A ticket with all six numbers has not been sold since the Jan. 24 drawing, 18 drawings ago. Tickets will be sold until 7:45 p.m and the draw will be held just before 8 p.m. The previous largest jackpot on record -- $390 million -- was won in the March 6, 2007, Mega Millions drawing.   

The unprecedented sum being vied for tonight has given rise to fresh concerns about problem gambling.

"A jackpot that large can cause problems,'' Keith S. Whyte, executive
director of the National Council on Problem Gambling told City News Service. "While most people gamble for entertainment, those who gamble to make money or who see the lottery as an investment are more likely to be problem gamblers."   

California Lottery officials reminded the public that borrowing money to
play the lottery, spending above one's budget or using money that had been
earmarked for something else can ultimately lead to significant problems for
players and their families.   

-City News Service

What would you do if you won the jackpot? Tell us in the comments.