Millions of Americans are lining up to get their ticket for Wednesday’s Powerball drawing with a jackpot that’s hit $425 million, the third-highest total in the lottery’s history according to the Chicago Tribune.
Fox News reported that, if a single winner chooses to take the cash payout, they could stand to make a cool $244.7 million .
If nobody claims the winning ticket, this Powerball jackpot could reach record breaking territory.
The highest winning jackpot mad news last May when the numbers reached a very appealing $590.5 million , which was then claimed in June by an 84-year-old Florida woman who had opted for a lump-sum payment of nearly $371 million.
With jackpots as big as these, the customers aren’t the only one trying to make it rich.
Jackpots likes these draw customers to businesses that have had known winners in the past, bringing the owners a larger payout as well.
Stores such as the Hy-Vee grocery store in Ceder Rapids, Iowa see a huge turnout when the jackpot numbers get this high:
“I do have customers that they do come here specifically when the numbers get higher,” said store manager Jason Busswitz. “For some individuals, it does create a little more excitement around the Powerball machine.”
The Hy-Vee grocery store is known for the winning ticket that was sold and won a $241 million Powerball jackpots in June 2012.
Fox News also reported on a Casey’s General Store in Bondurant, Iowa, that sold a winning Powerball tiket to a local woman in September. That ticket won a $202.1 million.
Asked what types of questions the store gets when the jackpots get huge, assistant manager Debra Fetters said: “Does lightning strike twice here?”
Does buying tickets from these winning stores give you a bigger edge in the game as many believe?
Linda Hamlin, of the New Mexico Lottery, said “It’s illogical because this whole nature of good luck and how random it is. You never know when and where good fortunate is going to strike.”
Will you be one of the thousands lining up for your Powerball ticket for Wednesdays $425 million jackpot?
