Italy’s record-breaking state lottery today once again disappointed millions of Italians as well as foreigners who had crossed the border to play for the jackpot.
No one guessed the winning six-number combination of the Superenalotto game and the jackpot has now hit a record €135.9 million.
Germans, Austrians and other foreigners headed into Italy to play the lottery before the draw, including some who flew into Milan for a few hours just to play.
Germany's Bildnewspaper said 140 passengers aboard a chartered Air Berlin jet won a phone-in contest for free airline tickets aboard an early afternoon flight from Berlin to Milan's Malpensa airport.
Besides the free seats, the winners were treated to a heaping plateful of pasta, a cup of espresso and the opportunity to buy Superenalotto tickets at Milan airport.
Later in the afternoon, without ever leaving the airport, the passengers were flying back to Berlin, “just in time for dinner and to find out if they’ve won,” said Italy's Canale 5 TV.
The jackpot has rolled over since January. Draws are held three times a week.
Austrians, Croats and Slovenians living close to Italy “stormed” across the border to try their luck, the Austria Press Agency reported today.
Many of them packed restaurants and hotels in Italy’s German-speaking Alto Adige, or South Tyrol, region, which borders Austria.
French visitors were driving into neighbouring northwest Italy for a chance to play while many Germans were sighted in resort towns of Lake Maggiore buying tickets, and Superenalotto tickets appeared to be as popular as postcards in many Venice souvenir shops.
AP