Poker Pros Eying $640M Mega Millions JackpotRecord Purse Comes Soon After Illinois Begins Online Sales |
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The Mega Millions jackpot has hit a record $640 million, helped in a small way by Illinois implementing online lottery sales. The activity was made permissible by a Department of Justice opinion in December 2011 that also opened up the door for states to pursue web poker.
Card Player has learned that the Illinois Lottery has sold more than $1 million worth of online tickets since it opened its digital doors on Mar. 25.
The drawing for the multi-state Mega Millions is set for 11 p.m. EST Friday.
A lottery official said there is a 95 percent chance the jackpot won’t roll over, the L.A. Times reported.
Despite odds to win sitting at one in 176 million, some in the poker community are still taking a shot. Others are adding commentary.
Tournament pro Ari Engel bought some tickets and Tweeted that he’s “a little embarrassed.”
Cash game grinder Ashton Griffin said via his account: “Don’t judge me, but tonight I will be drinking and checking 2,500 lottery tickets of the $650 [Mega Millions]. Going to outer space when I win.”
Poker player and businessman Dan Fleyshman Tweeted: “Wish Howard Lederer won the Mega Millions jackpot. $640 million after taxes is just enough to pay back the Full Tilt Poker players.”
Jason Somerville and Josh Arieh both purchased 5,000 tickets a piece, according to their Twitter accounts.
While the lottery, with its new online capabilities, is making headlines around the country, Internet poker is on the verge of coming to fruition in Nevada. Regulators in the Silver State will soon license poker sites to operate intrastate games.
Follow Brian Pempus on Twitter — @brianpempus
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