Lottery mania hits with combined $2.2 billion payout >>

This news ranks larger than the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in Saudi Arabia.

Pulls more interest than 4,000 Hondurans marching into Mexico and pushing toward a showdown on the U.S. border with President Donald Trump.

The ultimate universe tethers Mega Millions and Powerball lottery jackpots that have reached obscene levels as U.S. residents wager hard-earned cash for astronomical odds of winning either jackpot. Overall odds of winning the Mega Millions jackpot 1:302,575,350 while a Powerball lottery win registers a 1 in 292,201,338 chance.

Numbers 15-23-53-65-70 and Mega Ball 7 could have earned almost $1 billion for a lucky winner. Come Tuesday, a lottery player has the chance to claim $1.6 billion or the cash option of approximately $900 million, give or take a couple hundred thousand. Mega Millions jackpots start out at $40 million and roll over if no winner surfaces.

Mega Millions tickets are sold in 44 states plus the District of Columbia and the U.S. Virgin Islands which means a lot of people will stand in long lines for an amazing amount of time to simply purchase tickets.

Saturday’s Powerball Jackpot in 44 states went unclaimed as numbers 16-54-57-62-69 and Powerball number 23 provided no winner. That jackpot has rolled over into a $620 million prize. (By the way, a personal machine purchase of five tickets had the No. 23 on three of them. Weird. A windfall of $12.).

In the past, coworkers would pool their money for a massive ticket purchase during high lottery stakes. Colleague Jeff Edelstein joined me in this pursuit based on the simple fact that we were afraid of not investing then watching other Trentonian employees walk out of the building with millions stuffed in their pockets.

Can you imagine not putting up $5 then being left out of a Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot. Edelstein and I would kill each other if that ever happened. We also debated the amount of money being wagered per employee with Edelstein championing “It takes only one ticket. Why don’t we each put up a buck?” Makes sense but logic overruns the mania of winning, say, $1.6 billion.

“It’s worth playing even just for the daydreaming,” a coworker noted.

Yes, lightning strikes and zombie apocalypses have better odds of occurring than one person winning either jackpot. Those ominous warnings about wasted money materialize as legitimate concerns for Trentonian area residents except for the fact that in May 2016, Pearlie May Smith stopped at a 7-11 convenience store on Chambers St. in Trenton.

Ms. Smith plunked down $6 which paid for a $2 ticket for the May 4 and 7 Powerball drawings and $1 to gain the “Power Play” option that increases winnings. The Smiths held the lone winning ticket worth $429.6 million. They chose a lump sum of $284 million which amounted to $204,480,000 after taxes had been deducted.

The Smith family credited “divine intervention.” “It’s the only way you can explain it, family spokesperson and oldest of the Smith noted.

So, while logic may impact residents to avoid lottery games, knowing that a local family claimed a couple hundred million resonates as a reason for playing. By the way, the Smith family have used their money to impact the lives of many Trenton residents.

Pearlie May Smith and her seven children each gave a portion of their winnings to help start the Smith Family Foundation which supports education, religious ministries and other organizations that benefit the Trenton area. While a litany of stories exist about lottery winners’ lives being ruined, it’s great to see the Smiths enjoying their blessings by helping others.

Also, the Smith Family and #IAMTHECHANGE will host a Community Kwanzaa Celebration on December 29, 2018. The Trenton War Memorial hosts an event that honors African heritage and seven core principles that reaffirm black culture.

A Mega Millions or Powerball win could support a personal cause that impacts your life and others. Either way, win or lose, putting up a few dollars during large lottery payouts offers whimsical dreams and discussions.

Mega Millions draws numbers on Tuesday while Powerball follows on Wednesday. Taxes? Sure, lots of taxes to be paid on winnings but let’s worry about that after you win.

Also, only Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, North Dakota, Ohio and South Carolina allow for Powerball and Mega Millions winners to remain anonymous.

Anywhere else, winning attracts a torrent of requests from long lost relatives, charities, business ventures and sad stories. As Steve Miller sings, “Take the Money and Run.”

And hide.

L.A. Parker is a Trentonian columnist. Find him on Twitter @LAParker6 or email him at LAParker@Trentonian.com.