£72m lotto jackpot up for grabs

Bookmakers say the chances of winning are the same as Elvis Presley becoming president of the United States of America.

Pretty minuscule.

But the odds did not stop people rushing to their newsagents, supermarkets and corner shops to snap up tickets for a chance to win £54m in Friday's EuroMillions draw.

Fear not. If you did not win that, there is a triple rollover in Saturday's Lotto, with an estimated jackpot of £18m.

For the record, the statisticians put the odds of winning the EuroMillions jackpot at one in 76 million.

Havant a chance?

The biggest single winner was Dolores McNamara from Garryowen, County Limerick, who scooped £77m (112m euros) in July 2005.

The odds of scooping the top prize in the Lotto draw are slightly better at one in 14 million.

According to bookmakers Ladbrokes, non-league minnows Havant and Waterlooville have more chances of scoring 10 goals against five-time European champions Liverpool in their FA Cup fourth round match.

Elvis becoming president is another of their million to one shots.

But the paltry odds aren't stopping people trying their luck at City News in Uxbridge Road, west London.

Sutha Rajendra and her brother, Waran Arul, run the shop together. In between customers, they tell me their busiest time is after 4pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and especially when there's a rollover.

From behind her packed counter, Sutha says there are often long queues stretching right round the shop in the final countdown to the Lotto witching hour, 7.30pm.

A straw poll of customers in Sutha and Waran's shop - wholly unscientific - reveals a public with a love-hate relationship towards the National Lottery. Opinions range from 'It's a fix', to 'Money changes everything'. Here's a sample.

SANIR AHMED, 57, CARER

" The small odds don't put me off. I keep trying.

If I won, I would buy the normal things, a car and a house. I'd retire early.

I'd look after my family, and maybe a few friends and I'd give to needy charities such as the Heart Foundation or Cancer Research. "

JEANNE WALL, 76, RETIRED

" I play every week. I win the odd £10 now and again. If I won the EuroMillions jackpot, I'd give it all to the kids. Why would I want to keep it at my age?

I'd keep the odd thousand. I've got a big family, so I'd spread it around. "

STACEY COTTOL, 32, PRACTICE MANAGER

" I only buy lottery tickets when there's a big prize.

The odds aren't great, but you never know.

I'd buy everything if I won the jackpot - a new home, a car, I'd gone on holiday. I'd do so much. I'd be alright forever. "

JOHN HICKEY, 77, RETIRED

" I play EuroMillions every week. But the most I've ever won is 30 quid. I know it's only one in 76 million, but that's still a good chance, isn't it?

I've been to every race track in the country and if I won the lottery, I'd go back and visit each and every one of them again! "

LEE FLEMMING, 36, FILING CLERK

" I play in different shops around the neighbourhood. I gamble up to five times a week on competitions and lotteries.

Money changes everything. If you don't try, you don't get. Somebody has to win it.

Having said that, winning the jackpot doesn't guarantee happiness. It makes a difference between having the heating on for four to five hours a day to having it on all day. "

GLORIA BALLISTON, 66, RETIRED

" I do the lottery every week, just in case. I'm hoping, I'm trying. I've won a few £10 here and there.

I know the chances are small, but I may as well try my luck. I'd treat myself if I won the lottery.

I'd buy a small two bedroom house. I'd go on a cruise. I'd put the rest away until I needed it or give some to a children's charity. "

FAWZIA AHMED, 43, CARER

" I rarely play, only when there's big prize money. I've never won anything.

The odds don't bother me. If it's your turn, it's your turn.

If I won, I'd treat all the family and pay off their debts, then I'd look after myself. "

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