100 mln-euro jackpot lures Italians to lottery

Dreaming of the record 100 million-euro lottery jackpot that could be won on Thursday, Italians have been snapping up tickets in the hope of putting economic woes behind them for life.

"There has been a big increase in people buying 'Superenalotto' lottery tickets in the last few weeks. About three times, four times as many players," said Claudio Marcelli, who sells the one-euro tickets at his Rome tobacconist's.

The giant jackpot has built up as the top prize has not been won since April, and its size has attracted new punters.

"I never used to play. I have started because the prize has become so high in the last three weeks," said university student Claudia Maina.

"I've been trying every week. And if I win, I'll buy the university."

Statistics suggest about one in three Italians have bought tickets. For one pensioner, who gave only his first name, Attilio, as he queued to buy a ticket, the tension was getting almost too much to bear.

"If this prize doesn't come out soon people will start jumping out of windows," he said. (