“This is the largest jackpot for the Powerball game in its history.”
And West Virginia Lottery Spokesperson Nikki Orcutt says, because of that, people are lining up throughout the Mountain State to buy their Powerball ticket or tickets ahead of Wednesday night’s drawing.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Powerball jackpot had grown to $500 million.
“When you get jackpot amounts in excess of $350 million, it just creates excitement,” Orcutt said of the increased ticket sales reported in many areas.
This Powerball jackpot is already the second largest in history, behind only the MegaMillions jackpot of $656 million that three ticket holders won in March. That still stands as the world record.
Orcutt, though, says the Powerball jackpot will likely continue to grow up until Wednesday night’s drawing and even beyond.
“If no one wins and this jackpot rolls, then we could see Powerball leading the charge on jackpots in the world, so we’re excited,” she said.
Over the years, West Virginia players have won eight Powerball jackpots.