Although the odds of winning, 1 in 302.6 million, are not in their favor, several people said the lottery is worth taking a chance on, as the top prize for the winner is estimated to be $549.7 million in cash taxes is. Jackpot winners can choose the annuity option – $1.22 billion – which will be paid out over a period of years.

Nic’s Tobacco Outlet cashier Darla Walker said she saw a “big spike” in sales of Mega Millions lottery tickets Thursday and Friday while working at the store on Pleasant Valley Boulevard.

“Being Christmas Eve, that’s all they bought,” Walker said of the store’s ticket sales.

Arthur Gamble of Sinking Valley purchased a Mega Millions ticket and several instant tickets at Nic’s Tobacco Outlet on Friday. Gamble said he wins more money from scratch cards.

Top Shop Sweets employee Anthony Taranto (right) sells a Mega Millions quick pick ticket to customer Robert Maurer at the Hastings Borough store on Friday morning. If Maurer wins, he plans to split the money with his family and go on vacation. Mirror photo by Matt Churella

“I always get one or two numbers, but it’s never anything,” Gamble said of his luck in the Mega Millions, adding that he once won $1,000 on an instant ticket.

If he wins a large amount of money in the lottery, Gamble said, he would likely donate much of it after he pays off his house.

Gamble said he hopes the eventual winner decides to hire a financial advisor as there are several fraudulent people who would likely try to cheat him out of his winnings.

“The first thing you need to do is get a lawyer. If he’s not an investor, get investors or someone to back you, because there’s always someone to pat you on the back,” Gamble said.

Town resident Chuck Murray said if he won the jackpot, he would donate money to his church and pay off his debts.

Ken’s BiLo Foods cashier Wendi Pope prints out a Mega Millions quick pick ticket at the grocery store in Patton Borough on Friday. Mirror photo by Matt Churella

“My wife said she wanted to buy the (Logan Valley) Mall,” Murray said.

“We don’t play regularly or anything like that, but because it’s so high, you’re taking a risk.”

City resident Chris Walton said he bought several tickets for Friday’s Mega Millions drawing using a combination of his own numbers and several quick picks. Walton said he plans to “leave Altoona” if he wins.

“It’s a mercy to get out if I win, which I probably won’t,” Walton said.

City resident Joseph Komisar didn’t buy a Mega Millions ticket, but believes the jackpot winner should spend it “very wisely.”

“I would tell them to put it in bonds and other things that will guarantee you money back,” Komisar said, adding that he once won more than $400 by playing even three figures in Michigan .

Komisar said he collected cans and bottles, each worth a dime, while working as a receptionist for a steel company in Michigan. When he redeemed the bottles, Komisar said he bought lottery tickets and won.

“I’m one of the unlucky ones,” Komisar said about why he didn’t participate in the Mega Millions on Friday.

At Ken’s BiLo Foods in Patton Borough, more people bought lottery tickets than ever before after another retailer in town decided not to renew its store’s lottery license in Pennsylvania, said cashier Wendi Pope.

Pope said the Magee Avenue grocery store, formerly known as Warfields’ Market, was sold in November to new owners who decided not to renew the store’s Pennsylvania lottery license.

Many customers who used to buy lottery tickets at the store are now visiting Ken’s Bilo Foods more regularly to purchase their tickets, Pope said, adding, “They all come here now.”

At Top Shop Sweets in nearby Hastings Borough, cashier Anthony Taranto said he has also noticed an increase in lottery sales at the store.

“There are people who only play it once when it’s that high, and there are people who play it regularly every day. It’s a mix of all of them and you always hope for the best for them. You really do,” Taranto said.

Robert Maurer of Elder Township said he would share his winnings with family members and go on vacation if he won with the Mega Millions tickets he purchased at Top Shop Sweets Friday morning.

“It’s going to be too much for me, so my whole family is going to get it,” Maurer said.

Taranto said he thinks the best thing people with money can do is help other people.

“I always think so,” Taranto said.

Mirror Staff Writer Matt Churella can be reached at 814-946-7520.