By Tyrone Reid, Staff ReporterTHE LOTTO 'bug' has see-mingly bitten the nation, as the ever-increasing jackpot, which now stands tall at a record-breaking $100 million, has even unconventional persons giving themselves a chance.
"We are doing very well because it is a jackpot-driven game; as the jackpot climbs, the frenzy increases, because you now have the occasional player and the person who never normally plays taking a chance," said Sonia Davidson, communications and public relations manager at Supreme Ventures Limited.
One such buyer was Wayne Bryan, who The Gleaner caught exercising the early bird tactic yesterday at McLeod's Texaco gas station. But, only time will tell if he will catch the 'worm' worth $100 million.
"Mi neva really buy lotto, but because a $100 million mi waan win it," said Mr. Bryan, who said he would be wagering $5,000 on tickets to realise his dream.
Brian George, president and CEO of Supreme Ventures Limited, told The Gleaner that the staggering jackpot figure is causing a somewhat unprecedented spending stir in the world of gambling. He explained that on August 14, with the jackpot at $85 million which was also a record lotto sales whopped its more popular stable mate Cash Pot by an unparalleled $10 million. This was a $9.5 million increase from the previous week's sale that bettered its Cash Pot counterpart by half of a million dollars.
DOUBLE-BARRELLED REACTION
The Supreme Ventures boss said that he has noticed a double-barrelled reaction to the record-breaking jackpot. "Excitement obviously... Then there is one of uncertainty, as people are wondering why they (Supreme Ventures) are holding the jackpot so long."
However, Mr. George noted that his company does not determine who wins or the duration of the jackpot. "The draw is done at random and we have no control over who wins," he emphasised.
Meanwhile, at the outlets the frenzy petered yesterday. But lotto agents across the Corporate Area told the news team that this was not abnormal and things are expected to hit fever pitch into Wednesday evening. "You have to wait until Tuesday and Wednesday," emphasised Stacy-Ann Martin, sales representative at Ralph Wholesale, 41 Windward Road, Kingston.
"Everybody wants to win it and I know Wednesday coming there will be lines inside and outside," reiterated Lloyd Bailey of Shop and Go, 64 Old Hope Road, St. Andrew. In anticipation of the late rush to get tickets to meet the draw tomorrow night, the lotto company's Ms. Davidson is encouraging purchasers to get their dream tickets earlier than is customary.
If there are no winners tomorrow, the purse will be increased by a minimum of $7 million.
