Record Powerball Result Of Changes To Boost Sales
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The frenzy for tickets is on as the Powerball jackpot reaches a record-setting half a billion dollars.
Monique Griego has more on the race to get the winning numbers.
The jackpot has been rolling over for the last 15 drawings. While the odds of winning are pretty small, that doesn't stop people from dreaming big.
Ticket machines across Maryland are cranking out possible winners as Powerball mania takes over.
"I mean, who wouldn't love to win $500 million?" said one.
"I don't think you could spend all that money," said another.
The half a billion dollar prize had everyone pulling out their last dollars. And according to lottery officials, a pot this big deserves the hype!
"It's the highest jackpot in the history of the game and the game's been around about 20 years," said Carol Everett, Maryland Lottery.
The $500 million jackpot breaks down to $327 million if the winner takes a lump sum. After taxes, that's $217 million.
"If I win, I'm going to spread it out among my family. Keep everybody happy, I hope, and set something up for life," said one.
And while the odds are stacked against ticket buyers, many say it's a very small risk for such a huge reward.
"It's only two bucks and you gotta have a dream, you know," said one.
While this is the largest Powerball prize ever, the biggest in history was the Mega Millions jackpot for $656 million--$474 million in cash--won by three people, including a Marylander, in March of this year.
"It's possible. Anything is possible," said one hopeful winner.
It's true. Anyone can win--so why not you?
"You could always be that one. You never know. You could always be that one," said a Powerball player.
The odds of winning the grand prize is one in 175 million.
The $500 million drawing takes place Wednesday night so you still have time to get your tickets.
