By Liz Oakes
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Mega Millions' record $200-million-plus jackpot means thousands of Greater Cincinnatians plan to shell out mega-bucks today for the 1-in-135-million shot at winning.

Lottery retailers in the area reported brisk sales Thursday, and some expected lines out the door by rush hour tonight.

Sales close at 10:30 p.m., a half-hour before the drawing.

Cynthia Fischer, who owns the California Carryout on Kellogg Avenue in Cincinnati, said ticket sales have been "off the hook."

Fischer said almost 600 people bought more than $2,300 in Mega Million tickets Thursday at her store.

California Carryout has sold almost $90,000 in Mega Millions tickets since July, more than any other retailer in Warren, Butler, Clermont and Hamilton counties, according to the Ohio Lottery Commission.

The carryout, a quarter-mile from the Combs-Hehl Bridge near Coney Island, gets about 80 percent of its customers from Kentucky, a state that's part of the Powerball lottery, but not Mega Millions.

Indiana also participates in the Powerball, rather than in Mega Millions.

Mary Ann Jenkins, 66, of Fort Thomas, said she was golfing in the area and decided to buy five tickets on Thursday at the California Carryout after hearing about the jackpot size.

"When it gets really, really high, then I get interested," Jenkins said.

The Big Game lottery in Michigan set the national record for a jackpot - $363 million - in 2000.

On Thursday, the 11-state Mega Million consortium raised tonight's estimated jackpot to $222 million from $215 million because of surging sales.

Would-be millionaires snapped up $148,000 in Mega Million tickets between 1 and 2 p.m. Thursday, said Dan Price, state lottery commission spokesman.

Another jackpot increase could happen today, Price said.

E-mail loakes@enquirer.com