SPOKANE, Wash — A near-record Powerball jackpot is pulling out crowds, who are pulling out their wallets to buy in to the chance for big bucks.
The Powerball mania hit one Spokane gas station, where the store manager says sales of Powerball tickets has quadrupled.
The Maverick on South Regal sees pretty regular lotto business, with sales averaging $70-100 a day. With the jackpot nearing $2 billion, that's also boosted business. In one day since Monday's drawing, ticket sales for Powerball hit more than $400.
One hopeful customer bought $102 worth of Powerball tickets Wednesday afternoon, the largest single purchase the clerk had seen that day.
Wednesday night's Powerball jackpot was estimated at $1.73 billion, the second largest payout for any lottery game ever.
Bill Keahon said he'd be happy with a piece of that prize.
“I feel the same every time I get a ticket. Whatever happens happens and that’s the end of it," Keahon said. "You can’t control it. The luck of the draw, that’s all it is.”
Keahon plays Powerball three times a week and says so far, he's never won. He's cautiously optimistic this time around.
“I’m a little excited about it but I wouldn’t even mind winning just a million because I get it to take care of the family and the grandchild," he said.
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