In U.S., a Lottery Ticket Now Holds $1.2bn Cash Prize, Wait Begins for Owner

A US lottery jackpot has soared past $1 billion again, with a $1.22 billion winning ticket sold in California after three months without a top prize winner.

- Associated Press

ATLANTA:

The staggering figure made headlines and lured hopefuls to stores, dreaming of life-changing riches.

While billion-dollar jackpots are becoming more frequent, they still stir excitement.

Jonathan D. Cohen, author of "For a Dollar and a Dream: State Lotteries in Modern America", wonders what happens when $1 billion feels routine.

"How much money can one person possibly need?" he asks.

Starting in April, Mega Millions tickets will rise from $2 to $5, promising better odds, more frequent massive prizes, and even larger payouts.

Lotteries have been around for over 4,000 years, dating back to ancient Rome, where emperors awarded prizes ranging from pottery to enslaved people.