Mega Millions: New York lottery fans have Mega Mania
Mega Millions has become megapopular since its launch in New York two years ago.
Sales of the high-payout lottery game in New York jumped 27 percent during its second year of operation, according to the New York Post.
Mega Millions registered more than $474 million in sales in New York during the 2003-04 state fiscal year, which ended March 31, up from the $373 million it took in the previous fiscal year, according to New York State Lottery.
Eleven states participate in the game, which has a minimum jackpot of $10 million. Several weeks ago, the top prize reached $239 million. Since it was introduced here, six New Yorkers have won the Mega Millions jackpot.
But state Sen. Frank Padavan (R-Queens), the Legislature's leading gambling critic, said the success of Mega Millions is just another example of the "the state's addiction to gambling."