News Release PDF
DATE: Tuesday, November 27, 2012
CONTACT: Sally Lunsford (785) 296-5708
sally.lunsford@kslottery.net
Powerball Jackpot Now Estimated at $500 Million!
Ticket Buying Excitement Spreads Across Kansas
Could Kansas have another
record multi-million dollar jackpot winner? It could happen
if a ticket sold in Kansas matches all numbers in tomorrow night's
Powerball drawing!
The monster jackpot is now an
estimated $500 million (annuity), with a cash option of $327
million, and sets a new record for Powerball. Excitement over
a record jackpot is spurring sales nationwide, leading the
Multi-State Lottery Association to raise the jackpot estimate
today.
"It's certainly possible that a
Kansas player could win or share in this incredible jackpot.
It's happened before," said Neysa Thomas, Deputy Executive
Director of the Kansas Lottery.
A Kansas ticket sold in Ottawa
shared a third of a $656 million world record Mega Millions jackpot
on March 30 of this year. Players hoping to find similar luck
are flocking to Lottery retailers throughout the state for a chance
to win another record jackpot.
"I'm thinking it would be
great to hit it in Kansas, especially if it's a ticket that's sold
at my store!" said Craig Hoffman, owner of Gas N Shop 1 in
Topeka. Hoffman says sales are picking up and will be
especially brisk tomorrow.
"We're definitely seeing a big
increase in the number of Powerball tickets we're selling," said
David Hammond, manager of Quik Trip 366 in Wichita. "By tomorrow,
we expect long lines and a real buying frenzy."
"It's already very busy. By
Wednesday, we'll probably have one person whose job it is just to
print Powerball tickets," reported Dustin Gillihan, a cashier at
Petro Deli in Topeka.
"There is definitely a lot of
excitement about this huge jackpot," reported Tommy Ly, owner of KC
Gas and Grocery in Wichita. "Everybody wants to win, including
me!"
Powerball jackpots start at $40
million. This will be the 16th Powerball drawing since a Delaware
player captured a $50 million jackpot on October 3, 2012. Powerball
costs $2 per play, or $3 if the player purchases Power Play, which
multiplies all prizes won except for the jackpot.
"We're expecting very high
Powerball sales in Kansas for this drawing," said Thomas. "Kansas
sales were $3.4 million for the single drawing March 30, 2012, that
produced the world record Mega Millions jackpot, and it's possible
we could surpass that."
While large jackpots generate
excitement, the Kansas Lottery reminds players to play responsibly
and not spend beyond their means. Players must be 18 years of
age or older to purchase lottery tickets.