Jackpot-Rigging Scandal Forgotten as Powerball Fever Sweeps the U.S.
I’ll probably buy a ticket or two, but mostly just so I can fantasize a bit but then get back to reality after Wednesday when someone else wins or it rolls over.
The jackpot-fixing scandal that rocked the lottery organization behind Powerball has done little to hold back interest in the game.
In fact, with the jackpot soaring to mind-boggling levels – it rose to $947.8 million Saturday, the biggest lottery prize in North American history and is estimated to be $1.3 billion by Wednesday’s next drawing – Powerball hysteria is sweeping the United States.
Stores across the country sold more tickets and were seeing much longer lines than usual before Saturday’s drawing, which did not produce a single ticket matching all six Powerball numbers. The jackpot, which rises after each drawing that does not produce a winner, has now ballooned to $1.3 billion.
The U.S. saw Powerball sales of $277 million on Friday and more than $400 million were expected Saturday, the Texas Lottery’s executive director said.
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