Mega Millions Jackpot Now $540 Million

What would you do with all that money?

 Via WJLA:

With more than half a billion dollars at stake, lottery fever has gripped the D.C. area.

The Mega Millions jackpot is now at an estimated $540 million, the largest in lottery history.

Overall, Wednesday’s 's lottery sales in D.C. were up 500 percent from last Wednesday. And with the hope of winning more than half a billion dollars, people are buying big.

“I just want to be rich and retire and travel,” says one D.C. resident. “I think a lot of people are excited. There's really a lot of hype about 500 million so why not spend a dollar to win 500 million.”

At D.C.-based Living Social, more than a 100 co-workers are buying into a pool at $10 a pop.

“We want to win,” says Stephen Taglieri. “We want the money.”

Friday’s drawing is considered to be the largest ever for Mega Millions.