August 19 - For the umpteenth time since January 31 this year, Italy's
popular SuperEnalotto lottery jackpot has remained unworn after last
night's draw (Tuesday, August 18) which means for this Thursday's draw, the
already massive lottery will skyrocket to a whopping $203.6 million (144 million
euros).
Italians have gone 'lottery crazy' over the SuperEnalotto since its jackpot has
proven so elusive, despite draws each and every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Once a pastime limited to Italian lottery fans, now hundreds of thousands of
Italians seem only too happy to queue for tickets in lottery retailers.
In fact, Italy's lottery fever is not limited to Italians, as thousands of
citizens from countries bordering the pasta capital of the world continue to
cross the border solely to buy SuperEnalotto tickets. In fact, one German radio
station is giving away 140 plane tickets so that winners can buy tickets at
Milan airport.
This current SuperEnalotto jackpot is by far the biggest in the history
of the lottery in Italy, and also one of the largest ever in Europe. But while
Italian lottery players may be tearing their hair out in frustration, the
Italian government is smiling as the enormous SuperEnalotto revenues are helping
to top up coffers.
Italy, like most European countries, has been hard hit by the economic
downswing, which is why its government is only to happy to generate additional
revenues where it can. It is also why so many Italians are desperate to win the
lotto windfall, and escape the financial slump that is impacting on their lives.
Not since World War II has Italy suffered through such a hard-hitting recession,
but at least due to the 'unwinnable' SuperEnalotto, the Italian Treasury can
breathe a sigh of relief, if not a temporary one. Since January, the Treasury
has reportedly collected over a billion euros as a result of lottery ticket
sales.
According to SuperEnalotto officials, purchase of lottery tickets in Italy rose
by 67.8 percent during the first half of August compared to the same period in
July. Plus, sales increased by 13.2 percent in the past week from the previous
week. This means that ahead of Thursday's draw, sales will likely spike again.
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