Local convenience store retailers say the Mega Millions lottery game is luring more people than usual to gas stations and newsstands this week.
The jackpot has escalated to a whopping $355 million. Winning numbers announced Tuesday night are 4-8-15-25-47 and the Mega Ball number is 42.
"Even though gas prices have gone up, it's not stopping people from trying to win this big," said M.P. Patel, owner of the Texaco at Lakeshore gas station on Dawsonville Highway.
A rise in gas prices has likely led to a decline of in-store sales in recent weeks, Patel said.
Last month, Georgia gas prices climbed more than 25 cents.
But with more hopefuls vying for a chance at one of the largest jackpots in U.S. lottery history, sales are showing improvement, he said.
"Any time the jackpot is high, the lottery sales are times 10," he said.
There hasn't been a winner since Nov. 25 when a winning $25 million ticket was purchased in Broadview Heights, Ohio, according to the Mega Millions website. The last time the jackpot was this high was in August 2009, and the record jackpot of $390 million was set in March 2007.
George Zuloaga picked up his lottery ticket Tuesday at the Dawsonville Highway Texaco.
He said even though gas prices were on the rise, it hasn't impacted his lotto purchases.
"It's a big shot at big numbers," he said.
Across town, the Chevron on Thompson Bridge Road also has seen slower sales recently.
"A lot of times people will just buy their gas and go," store clerk Syed Ali said.
However, the promise of sudden riches has attracted new customers into the store.
"People who have said they've never bought before are buying now," he said.
Players pick six numbers, five from numbers 1-56 and one from 1-46, according to the Mega Millions website.
To win the jackpot, ticket buyers must hit all six numbers. If there is no jackpot winner, the pot keeps growing.
Mega Millions is played in 41 states and the District of Columbia. Players have a 1 in 176 million chance of winning.
Drawings are held at 11 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday.