Lotto Pot at Record $57 Million

The jackpot in California’s 6-49 Lotto game rose to a national record of $57 million today, sparking a frenzy of ticket buying at the state’s 7,200 outlets.

Money poured in from other states as Californians bought tickets for friends and family members all over the country. The exact amount of the top prize for the next lotto drawing won’t be decided until 7:45 p.m. Saturday, 15 minutes before it takes place, California Lottery information officer Robert Taylor said. He said the $57-million figure is not only an American record, but the largest anywhere in the world.