FLORIDA LOTTO sales surge for $27 million Jackpot estimate.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 28, 1996--The largest LOTTO Jackpot in 19 consecutive weeks pushed ticket sales even higher Wednesday.

The estimated $27 million Jackpot is the highest players have seen since last April. Sales were up 83.7 percent Wednesday, compared to the same period last week, as players began celebrating the end of the Jackpot dry spell.

FLORIDA LOTTO sales started with a bang Sunday when the high Jackpot was announced, and they have been on the rise ever since.

"LOTTO players are ready for a big Jackpot. This $27 million Jackpot is the largest offered since early spring," Lottery Secretary Marcia Mann said.

"It's exciting to have a big Jackpot for the Labor Day holiday weekend," she said.

Lottery ticket retailers are getting ready for a big week. One of Miami's biggest Lottery sellers, Daniel Diaz of Government Discount told the Miami Herald, "We're prepared for the onslaught."

Double LOTTO rollovers, (two weeks without Jackpot winners) don't happen very often. There were only three double-rollovers last fiscal year, and no triple-rollover.

If there is no winners Saturday night and the Jackpot rolls over, it will be the first triple rollover since the $81,230,000 jackpot in April 1995.

At least one person may not be playing LOTTO this week. Lisa Winus, 25, of Fort Lauderdale, claimed the WIN FOR LIFE grand prize of $1,000 a week for life Tuesday. "I would feel selfish trying too hard to win again," she said.

At 10 a.m., today's (Wednesday, Aug. 28) FLORIDA LOTTO sales reached $103,080, compared to 10 a.m. (Wednesday, Aug. 2), with sales totaling $189,391. -0-

NOTE: If you would like to schedule a telephone interview with Lottery Secretary Marcia Mann about the big Jackpot, please call the Lottery Communications office, 904/487-7727.

CONTACT: Florida Lottery, Tallahassee

Ed George, 904/487-7727