Powerball Arrives In California Monday
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — For people with Lotto fever, April 8th can't happen fast enough.
Monday, of course, is the day the long-awaited $2-per-play Powerball game arrives in California.
The current Powerball jackpot (the next draw is Saturday evening) is an estimated $50 million. If someone hits Saturday, the jackpot for Tuesday will start at $40 million.
CBS2's Brittney Hopper went in search of excited wanna-be players. She didn't have to look far.
Margie Marinn is from Virginia -- where she used to play Powerball all the time. But since moving to LA, she hasn't had the chance until now.
"I'm so excited," Marinn said, "I want it!"
With jackpots often reaching $2, 3 and even 500 million, Powerball fever has gripped the country quite often.
Hopper encountered a bunch of Californians who seem like they've already spent their prize winnings. Just keep in mind, the odds of winning aren't too favorable.
With Mega Millions the odds of winning are 1 in 176 million. Super Lotto, 1 in 42 million and Powerball, 1 in 175 million.
Mandi Fliglman, a regular Lotto player, "I'm so excited! It's like another avenue to be able to hopefully win some money." And Julia Hernandez said "Bring it on!"
California is one of the last states to add Powerball. State officials believe the game will add $50 million in funds for California public education.
In case you're not up on your Lottery draw dates, Powerball numbers are selected Wednesdays and Saturdays. Mega Millions is played Tuesdays and Fridays and Super Lotto is played on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Lisa Winnert, a Lottery player, is not deterred by the long odds. "It's just the dream that you might win and you have that opportunity that you can do something you really want to do with life."
Powerball tickets go on sale starting 6 a.m. Monday.
For more about all the games, go to CaliforniaLottery.com.
