Anticipation is growing for this Saturday’s multi-state Powerball drawing and so is the jackpot.
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We’re not talking about buying a ticket and the chances you have to win. However, they have had some issues with their website today.
Many Minnesotans are getting ready to try their luck in the game. The Star Tribune says lottery ticket sales soared Friday. Some state lawmakers have talked about limiting wins to US citizens, but no laws have passed so far. It will be the biggest USA jackpot ever, beyond the previous record of a $656 million Mega Millions prize won in 2012 by players in Kansas, Illinois and Maryland.
So far this Shell station has only had hopeful customers wanting a winning ticket come through their doors.
Lottery winners can choose to take a one-time cash payout, or to receive annual payments for the next 30 years. Prizes range from $4 to $2 million. There’s even an outside shot it gets to that point before Saturday night’s drawing. Lottery winnings are considered taxable income and the 1% – to which the victor will belong to – are taxed at 39.6%.
Then there are local taxes. The jackpot has been rolling over since early November and could reach the $1 billion mark if it rolls over after Saturday.
George Everly, who lives in Mountaindale, was waiting in line Friday afternoon to buy two Powerball tickets and two packs of cigarettes.
So what’s your chance at winning it all? He had five correct numbers but not the Powerball, the news release said. “However if you are anxious, ‘Oh I might win that jackpot but I don’t want to share it, ‘ your advice would be to pick numbers bigger than 31 because a lot of people that pick their own numbers use birthdays and anniversaries”.
Winners must keep in mind to sign their ticket as soon as they can.
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Once you win, don’t spend right away – Experts suggest winners wait at least six months to a year before making any purchases to help stop you from spending millions right away.
