What would you do if you were to win the $10,000,000 jackpot for Christmas? Would you fill your closet with designer clothing, travel the globe or buy a Ferrari?As it turned out when the T&T Guardian interviewed people purchasing Lotto tickets in Excellent City Centre, Port-of-Spain, most of them are dreaming big but planning much more humble uses for the prize money.
For Claudette Webster, 50, the very thought of winning was too much to handle. "I don't know what I would do first, I would just fall down from shock," she said. "Then, once I recover, I could do some construction in the house. It would be great for my family."Sharon Jaimungal, 40, said the ultimate present for her would be no longer having to work. "If I win that money, I might just buy a house and take an early retirement," she said.Seventy-year-old architect Alvin Dorset said he would not be able to contain his excitement.
"I will run out my house and run round the Savannah shouting, 'Yes, yes, yes!' I would just have to be careful not to get a heart attack," he said, jokingly. 'For years I trying and I never won anything, so this would be amazing. I have children abroad who are unemployed because of the American economy and I would love to help them."He also said he would give back to his country by investing in T&T culture.
Unfortunately for some millionaire hopefuls visiting the booth after lunch, they were told to return another time to purchase their lotto tickets by the cashier, who explained that the National Lotteries Control Board (NLCB) systems were glitching nationwide owing to an overload."NLCB systems giving problems because too many people are buying lotto tickets. When too many cashiers are logged in, the terminal shuts down in some branches," she said.
Many people left disappointed and frustrated. But they will have until Saturday to choose their lucky numbers before the winning ticket is decided.