Powerball Jackpot Grows To $500 Million
PITTSBURGH (KDKA/AP) - Officials say the Powerball jackpot has risen to an estimated $500 million, which would make it the fifth largest lottery prize in U.S. history.
"Powerball tickets have been selling extraordinarily well across Pennsylvania," Pa. Lottery spokesman Gary Miller told KDKA money editor Jon Delano on Wednesday.
Better believe it.
Powerball tickets are flying out of lottery machines in anticipation of Wednesday night's jackpot drawing.
"Tickets were selling at 5,000 per minute statewide," said Miller.
Five thousand tickets per minute because the jackpot has hit $500 million, prompting South Side gas station owner Zack Dubois to post his own hand-made sign.
"We actually put our own sign on the door, and they come in and say, I saw your sign, give me a couple," said Dubois.
It's apparently working.
"I had a premonition that this gas station was going to sell the winning ticket," declared Peggy McAdams of Ohio Township.
Others hedge their bets.
"I'll buy two tickets here, and two tickets up the street, and two tickets up the street again," noted Greg Powala of the South Side.
The prize is big -- a $500 million annuity or a $338 million cash pay-out.
"If won tonight, this jackpot would rank as the Powerball game's third largest annuity prize on record," said Miller.
Many play only when the jackpot is high.
"Three hundred million, and I start playing," said Robert Jumba of Ross Township.
The most recent jackpot winning lottery ticket sold for Powerball in Pennsylvania was back in June of 2013, and the winning was $131 million.
So we're really due for a win in Pennsylvania.
And here's some more good news. While the federal government will take about 25 percent of earnings, as for state taxes, there's no tax at all in Pennsylvania.
The odds of winning are one out of 175 million. That discourages some.
"I don't feel the odds are good enough to get close to that," said Mike Quinn of West Mifflin.
"I've heard the odds are stacked against you," added Ben Matta of Elizabeth.
But others buy anyway.
"I feel really good about my odds. I feel really lucky," said Tara Coleman of the North Side.
And Jean Reese of Allentown is absolutely convinced, "I am the winner. I know that in my heart. I am the winner."
Her enthusiasm is infectious.
KDKA money editor Jon Delano bought a few tickets himself, declaring "We got it. The winner's right here."
Powerball tickets will be sold until 9:59 p.m. tonight with the drawing set for 10:59 p.m.
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