BIGGER BUCKS, MEGA ODDS.

Byline: Dana Bartholomew Staff Writer

NORTH HOLLYWOOD - Gold fever once again gripped the Golden State as a million residents anted up Wednesday for a 12-state lottery worth up to $500 million.

Nowhere was the rush toward Mega Millions more delirious than at the winningest 7-Eleven in the San Fernando Valley.

``I drove two to three miles out of my way to come to this store 'cause it's the lucky store,'' said Don Ford, 45, of Hollywood, plunking down a buck per Mega Millions ticket at the convenience store at 11111 Burbank Blvd., which early this year shared in a $27 million SuperLotto Plus bonanza.

``I've got it down to an art: I'm gonna win.''

Truck drivers, professionals and parents were among the throng lining up for a first shot at the mammoth prize.

Of the 150 lottery tickets sold by noon at the North Hollywood store, 90 were for Mega Millions, according to a store manager. Across California, Mega fever wasn't as hot, with nearly $1.2 million out of $2.7 million in lottery sales going toward the multistate version by midafternoon.

Though California officials projected Friday's payout at a paltry $42 million, Mega Millions jackpots have climbed as high as $363 million. With California becoming the 12th state to enter the fray, winnings are expected to reach as high as $500 million.

But don't get your hopes up. The odds for a Mega win are almost 176 million-to-1, versus 41 million-to-1 for SuperLotto Plus.

For residents, a half-billion-buck jackpot is too much to fathom.

It's enough to buy a retractable-roof baseball stadium in Indianapolis, a wireless home network company in Irvine or roughly 870 median-price homes in the San Fernando Valley.

Most residents said they sought riches not for themselves - but for others.

``I'll give my husband whatever he wants because I love him a lot,'' said Maria Ibarra, 37, of North Hollywood, a mother of two. ``And I'll give lots of money to church charities or (to rehabilitate) kids on drugs.''

``I really just want their happiness.''

Gurbhej Singh, a 29-year-old 7-Up driver from Reseda, agreed. He said he'd buy the lucky store's manager, Raj Singh Girn, his very own 7-Eleven.

``When I win, I'll make everybody happy,'' he said. ``I'll help everybody. I'll buy some business, too. Maybe a motel, or a gas station.''

Mega Millions, however, didn't come without controversy.

Because the California Lottery Commission didn't seek legislative approval, some lawmakers said California would be susceptible to lawsuits by anti-gambling groups.

While the commission and the state attorney general believe the game to be legal in California, attorneys for the Legislature said it could violate a 1984 ballot initiative requirement that all lotteries in California be controlled by the state.

For each $1 lottery ticket sold, 34 cents goes toward California schools.

At 8 p.m. Friday, ``American Idol'' winner Carrie Underwood will draw the winning Mega Millions numbers at Paramount Studios in Hollywood - despite the dispute in Sacramento.

``We are going to have the first draw on Friday come earthquakes, typhoons, snow, rain or sun; we're going to do our draw,'' said Rosa Escutia, head spokeswoman for the lottery in California.

For Miguel Gonzalez, a Mega Millions ticket held hope for a new independent future.

``I'll take one,'' he said, with his 4-year-old daughter, Susely, in tow. ``I'll win (for my) house, my family. I'll invest it in a restaurant - Mexican food.''

Dana Bartholomew, [phone]

dana.bartholomew(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

2 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) no caption (Mega Millions)

(2) Maria Ibarra of North Hollywood picks her numbers for the Mega Million Lottery game Wednesday at a 7-Eleven in North Hollywood.

Alex Collins/Special to the Daily News

Box:

MEGA MILLIONS

SOURCE: City News Service

Daily News