Dreams of becoming an instant millionaire are sweeping through Ohio as the new Mega Millions lottery game reaches $138 million -- its highest jackpot to date.

Ohio joined the multi-state lottery in May and is one of nine states participating in the game, formerly known as The Big Game. Other states include New York, Georgia, Illinois and New Jersey.

"It is the highest since we started selling it," said Mike Kidd, a 6-year employee of Shamrock Carryout, 216 N. Second St., Ironton "Lots of people are playing, trying to win it."

Kidd said he, too, will take his chance and play. He expects sales to pick up even more today.

"The day of the drawing is when you see the most sales," he said. "People across the river (in Kentucky and West Virginia) hear about it being $138 million and you can see a lot of increase."

Bill Speaks of Kitts Hill plays every week and bought $25 worth of tickets for tonight's drawing.

"I have been lucky this week. I might hit it," he said. "If I hit the big one, I will buy a motor home and condo in Daytona Beach. I would still live here in the summer, though."

South Point resident Doug Pratt has worked at Hart's Convenient Mart at the Sixth Street Bridge in Chesapeake for two years. Sales have really been good for this jackpot, he said.

"We are through the roof," Pratt said. "About everyone that comes in is buying one."

"They come from everywhere," Theresa Nicely, also an employee at Hart's, added. "They are loving us."

Representatives from the Ohio Lottery said the game has been successful, although it is still new and should continue to grow.

"We have been happy with sales of the game." said Marie Kilbane Seckers, public information officer for the Ohio Lottery. "Among the nine states, we are the fourth highest in total sales."

Since the game began, 12 tickets have been sold in Ohio that paid out the second prize of $175,000. Through July 5, $21 million worth of tickets have been sold in the state, she said.

The Ohio Lottery expects the game to generate about $41 million in profits this year. They have committed to transfer a total of $637.7 million to the Lottery Profits Education Fund in the 2003 fiscal year, Seckers said. Michael Caldwell/The Ironton Tribune