Powerball fever spreads to Bainbridge Island

By RICHARD D. OXLEY
Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer
November 28, 2012 · 11:45 AM

The Powerball lottery has reached a record high jackpot and the fervor for mega-million dollar windfall has spread to Bainbridge Island.

Powerball is a multi-state lottery. With an impressive $550 million jackpot, it is currently boasting the second highest jackpot in U.S. history. At the moment it is the highest jackpot in the world. The cash value of the jackpot is $360 million.

Just as with the Mega Millions fever in March, islanders are pulling out an extra few dollars for their chance at the big prize, despite the odds of winning being 1 in 175 million.

The drawing will take place at 7:59 p.m. Wednesday.

"There have been people coming in today just to buy Powerball tickets. Tomorrow it's really going to be busy," said Jeanne Meek of Walt's Market in Lynwood Tuesday night.

"People who come in and spend a buck or two for a ticket, they are spending more on a ticket now," Meek said.

How much more?

Meek said that she's been seeing people who usually $2 on a single ticket forking over as much as $20 for tickets since the jackpot has climbed to its historic high.

"It's not as crazy as it was with the Mega Millions jackpot a few months back," Meek said. "But I imagine we will be busy with the Powerball."

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Staff Writer Richard D. Oxley at roxley@bainbridgereview.com or (206) 842-6613.

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