There could be a lucky winner from Maryland, or even Severna Park, as above average ticket sales for the Mega Millions lottery have pushed the jackpot to an estimated $500 million, a world record, for Friday's drawing, lottery officials have said. There will be a cash option of $354 million.

Locally, several liquor and convenience stores sell lottery tickets. Although no long lines were forming—yet, Ed Polk, owner of Dawson's Liquors, said that ticket sales were brisk on Wednesday with more than 20 people earlier in the day who had already purchased a Mega Millions ticket. Polk expects the interest to grow along with the news of the hefty jackpot.

Polk chuckled and said people who normally don't play the lottery "come out of the woodwork" when the jackpot gets this high.

Donna Fath of Arnold had just purchased a ticket and said if she won, she would pay off her house, give it to her son and his fiance and then "I would be smart with my money," she said.

Locally, lottery tickets can be purchased at Dawsons, Goskas, 7-11 stores, Royal Farms , Giant, Safeway, and Food Lion.

Played in 44 states and jurisdictions–including Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and the District of Columbia, Mega Millions drawings can be seen on Tuesday and Friday evenings at 11:22 p.m. on WBAL-TV, Channel 11 and at 11:53 p.m. on MPT, according to the Maryland Lottery website.

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