Lottery players have plenty of competition for Mega Millions jackpot

That's not a good idea, according to William T. Jourdin, acting executive director of New Jersey Lottery.Because of the feverish pace at which tickets have been selling for this jackpot, the third-highest amount in the state's history, Jourdin advised customers to "buy your tickets early."The Lottery has given away several large cash prizes in the past few years. Recent winnings by Garden State residents include a $216 million win by Chubb employees in the Whitehouse Station section of Readington last March, and a $163 million win by two Morris Knolls High School teachers. Jourdan said that since July 7, the current roll has contributed $25.3 million toward school lunches, construction, community and college support, scholarships, veterans homes, centers for the developmentally disabled, state psychiatric hospitals, and other state programs.