High Hopes: Lottery Jackpots Soar

Aug. 25, 2007 — -- A double dose of multi-state drawings has lottery fever sweeping the nation, with more than $500 million up for grabs.

Friday's Mega Millions lottery jackpot is now worth more than $250 million and Powerball's Saturday jackpot is worth more than $300 million.

"I bought five tickets; I bought two lotto in case I didn't get the Powerball," Kathleen Long said.

Another player, Connie Petrovich, emphasized the importance of participation.

"You gotta be in it to win it; if you're not in it, you can't win it," Petrovich said.

Since the high stakes games are being played all over, some people have been driving from state to state to get their best shot at a quick fortune.

And the jackpots just keep growing, making huge payouts possible -- even though the odds are stacked against participants.

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"When it comes to the odds, someone always wins, no matter how large the odds are. That's why people play," said Jeanette Michael, vice chairwoman for Powerball, Multi State Lottery Association.

Some winners, though, have had their high hopes and good intentions crushed by all the money. Jack Whittaker won more than $300 million in the 2002 Powerball jackpot, only to fall into a downward spiral of lawsuits, divorce and disappointments.

"Before I won the lottery, I thought you could control it," Whittaker said. "Since I won the lottery, I think there is no control for greed."

But with so much cash on the line, millions are willing to take the risk.

"I'd try to do my best my to give the most to charity as possible," said Leah Pratt, as she bought her ticket, "and then I'd go shopping."