Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes ofwebsite accessibility

Nipton store offers shorter wait for those big lotto dreams


KSNVThumbnail
KSNVThumbnail
Facebook Share IconTwitter Share IconEmail Share Icon

Across the country, millions of people are expected to tune in to the drawing for Tuesday's Mega Millions Lottery.

The jackpot currently stands at $1.6 billion with a cash option of $904 million.

Lotto tickets are not sold in Nevada, so many Las Vegans head to border towns in Arizona or California to buy a tickets.

Most of locals think the California state line is the easiest place to go, but that’s not always the truth if you want to avoid long lines.

Tuesday morning to early evening, the line to get inside Primm’s The Lotto Store actually started on I-15.

It took about 15 minutes to just get off the exit to the store. The line held steady at a two hours wait most of the day.

For comparison, our news crew also traveled 20-30 minutes south to Nipton, where one-by-one, Nevadans lined up outside The Trading Post with mega millions dreams (now in the billions).

“That’s my dream: to help out some people, you know as long as i’m taken care of," laughed Dana Coffey, who for the second time in four days made the drive from Las Vegas to Nipton, passing Primm each time.

Coffey said, “I would come here every time. I would rather see this little community get the money. I believe it is the best kept secret.”

For years, the line in Nipton has been significantly shorter than the Primm frenzy when Lotto jackpots hit record-breaking heights.

“We’re a little different than any place else around here, obviously with the BBQ going and music,” said Freddie Wyatt who helps plan for the community of Nipton.

Wyatt says when it comes to history, though, Nipton and the lottery go way back.

“We were the largest lottery in the world at one point,” said Wyatt. “Before Primm opened up, we were the closest lottery to Vegas for quite some time.”

As jackpots continue to get bigger more people are buying tickets.

Lines everywhere are seemingly growing, leading some to believe that when it comes to Nipton the secret may be out.

“We were here last Friday and there was only five people in front of me,” said Coffey. "When we drove down here today, I couldn’t believe the line. I’ve never seen it like this. It seems like everyone’s found this place.”

Loading ...