New Yorkers Excited About Powerball Tickets
Residents of New York are buzzing with excitement over Powerball tickets, all eager for a shot at becoming the next big winner.
An Astoria man recently picked up his ticket, making a move on what is now the sixth largest jackpot in the game’s history.
“Of course I’m playing—$3 and a dream,” said Mark, who was among countless others buying tickets on Saturday.
He added that he wouldn’t mind winning just a portion, saying, “I just need $100 million to be happy.”
When asked about his plans for any winnings, Mark shared a few ideas: “Maybe a boat, and perhaps help a charity or two.” It’s always nice to think about making a difference, right?
The potential payout for lucky winners could be $453.1 million in a lump sum before taxes, or $1 billion paid out over 30 years, with annual increases of 5% to $18.7 million.
At the nearby Bodega Smart Choice, owner Monte Ali reported selling 150 tickets within just five hours of opening. That’s a lot of hopeful players!
During a quick visit, dozens were waiting in line, some even within ten minutes. “It’s definitely much busier than usual,” Ali noted, surrounded by customers eagerly purchasing their tickets.
He remarked, “Everyone who comes today is buying. It’s like I’m just handing them out, given the size of the jackpot.”
The largest jackpot on record hit a whopping $2.04 billion, won by Edwin Castro back in November 2022.
Rosalva from Astoria admitted she typically doesn’t play Powerball due to the slim odds but decided to take a chance today. Before grabbing her Powerball ticket, she also tried her luck with several other games at Smart Choice. “If I win, I’ll have some fun and help others,” she said confidently.
Another customer, Matt, seemed unsure about what he would do if he won. “Probably a private island. But does that mean it’s a billion dollars? I guess it could be,” he mused.
