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| US Mega Millions lottery jackpot nears all-time high | US Mega Millions lottery jackpot nears all-time high |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Lottery fever has swept America as a nationwide jackpot rocketed to $636m (£390m) - the second-largest in US history. | Lottery fever has swept America as a nationwide jackpot rocketed to $636m (£390m) - the second-largest in US history. |
| Long queues were reported in stores selling tickets, which are available in 43 US states. | Long queues were reported in stores selling tickets, which are available in 43 US states. |
| The current American jackpot record is $656m - that was split between three winners in 2012. | The current American jackpot record is $656m - that was split between three winners in 2012. |
| If no winner is picked in Tuesday evening's Mega Millions draw, the total could hit $1bn by Friday. | If no winner is picked in Tuesday evening's Mega Millions draw, the total could hit $1bn by Friday. |
| The jackpot was previously estimated at $586m, but on Tuesday lottery officials increased their prediction due to strong ticket sales. | The jackpot was previously estimated at $586m, but on Tuesday lottery officials increased their prediction due to strong ticket sales. |
| 'Time for believing' | |
| Undeterred by odds of one in 259 million, large queues of would-be winners formed at petrol stations and convenience stores. | |
| If received in a lump cash sum as opposed to an annuity, the total would be $341m, a lottery official reported. | If received in a lump cash sum as opposed to an annuity, the total would be $341m, a lottery official reported. |
| "I feel it. I believe. It's Christmas. It's time for believing and I know I'm going to win it," Nesha Isahak told Reuters news agency as she bought her ticket at a newsstand in Manhattan, New York. | |
| "I think there's absolutely no way I am going to win this lottery," Tanya Joosten, 39, told the Associated Press news agency in Milwaukee. "But it's hard for such a small amount of money to not take the chance." | |
| Not every winner need necessarily face the standard news conference with the bottle of bubbly and chunky cardboard cheque. | Not every winner need necessarily face the standard news conference with the bottle of bubbly and chunky cardboard cheque. |
| Six US states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous: South Carolina, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota and Ohio. | Six US states allow lottery winners to remain anonymous: South Carolina, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota and Ohio. |
| In several other states, it is reportedly possible for winners to keep their names secret by claiming their jackpot through a trust or a limited liability company. | In several other states, it is reportedly possible for winners to keep their names secret by claiming their jackpot through a trust or a limited liability company. |