Lotto fever invades Century

The thought of a possible $1.6 billion payout was too much for many people to not take a shot at as literally thousands of Alabama residents flooded into Century Monday and Tuesday to buy a Mega Millions Lottery ticket.

According to Lottery officials, there was one ticket purchased in South Carolina that matched all five numbers and the Mega Ball. The winning numbers were 5, 28, 62, 65 and 70 with the Mega Ball 5. The non-jackpot multiplier was three.

Danny Patel, owner of Southern Pit Stop in Century, said he couldn't keep up the crowd Tuesday as people from Montgomery and beyond traveled to Century to purchase a ticket.

"It's been crazy," Patel said Tuesday night several hours before the drawing. "It's been steady for the past few days."

Patel said he expected to see another huge crowd yesterday (Wednesday) with the Powerball jackpot estimated at $620 million. If nobody won the Powerball jackpot Wednesday night that jackpot could also jump to $1 billion by Saturday night.

Mollie Riley of Andalusia was in Century Tuesday night to purchase the first Lottery ticket she's ever bought. She said Kendra Majors of Brewton asked her to drive to Century with her.

"I said 'sure, I'll come'," Riley said. "I've never bought a ticket before."

Tabauren Dortch of Brewton also said Tuesday was the first time she'd ever bought a Lottery ticket.

"I felt it was worth a chance," she said.

She said if she won she'd invest the money and give back to the community, especially for the Fischer Community Center in Brewton.

"I want to give back to the children," she said.

Shannon Hanks of Monroeville said she often makes the trip to Century to purchase Lottery tickets and the top prize was just too much to pass on.

David Archer of Montgomery said he 'drew the short straw' among a group of friends and was the one who drove to Century to purchase tickets for about 20 people.

"This is the first time I've just driven down here to buy tickets," he said. "I've stopped before on my way to the beach."

"I just might spend the night and see if I have any winners, because isn't there something about 'possession is nine-tenths of the law," he said laughing.

In addition to the one jackpot winner Tuesday three people won $1 million by matching all five numbers but not the Mega Ball. One person won $3 million by matching all five numbers and paid the extra $1 for the Megaplier that tripled the $1 million prize.

Similar to Mega Millions, Powerball tickets are $2 each, but non-jackpot winners can multiply their winnings up to five times for an additional $1. In Powerball, players select five numbers from 1 to 69 and a Powerball from 1 to 26.