The Powerball jackpot is already the biggest in the history of the game but officials expect it to grow even bigger before Wednesday’s drawing.
Chuck Strutt, director of the Multi-State Lottery Association, said that several people may be persuaded to buy extra tickets now that the jackpot is at $425 million. The jackpot has already increased $100 million since Saturday’s drawing and several states have reported a huge increase in sales.
Strutt told USA Today :
“Sunday sales were phenomenal … When you get to these levels, our ability to predict goes out the window.”
Colorado State Lottery director Abel Tapia said that ticket sales have jumped more than 90% since last week. Tapia said that the lottery has a loyal following every week but when the jackpot gets big more and more people start to buy tickets.
Tapia said:
“We have a loyal following that plays all the time, but the magic number for us is $200 million. That’s when a lot of new people start thinking about it, talking about and playing it. At $425 million, it will go into overdrive Wednesday.”
The Powerball has rolled over 16 times so far and the jackpot is currently the largest in the history of the game.
The Powerball jackpot will most likely be increased before Wednesday’s drawing but it isn’t likely for the jackpot to exceed the largest MegaMillions jackpot . In April, a $656 million jackpot was paid out to three players.
