COLUMBIA, S.C. — It was a busy day for gas stations around The Midlands as people lined up for a chance at the estimated $470 million Powerball jackpot Saturday, Jan. 9.
“People are definitely buying these tickets. They’re buying them by the bus loads. They’re really trying to win this money,” Whitney Patrice, a Sales Associate at the Devine Street Exxon’s Gaz-bah Mini Shop, said. “Everybody wants the millions.”
The jackpot’s winnings increased after no one matched Wednesday’s winning numbers, and again on Sunday after no winner was announced.
“Highest one I won is $29, but I enjoy coming,” Ron Smith, a regular lottery player, said. “I’m hoping to win.”
Olivia Walker does too.
“I won a little bit of money right now in Mega Millions, but I'm trying to win the Powerball jackpot,” Walker said, “Mega Millions jackpot and Lucky for Life jackpot. I want it all.”
To win players have to match six numbers in a random drawing.
The game cost starts at just $2.
The odds of winning are slim – one in more than 292 million, but that didn’t stop people from coming out with many hoping to give back.
“I’m going to give money to Harvest Hope Food Bank,” Walker said.
“I’d give it to the Shriner’s Hospital and to the children’s hospital out in Memphis,” Smith said.
News19 airs the lottery numbers before the 11 p.m. show. Afterwards, the numbers can be found on the Powerball website. Saturday's Powerball numbers were 14 - 26 - 38 - 45 - 46, Powerball was 13, PowerPlay was 2.
