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220 Million Reasons To Buy A Powerball

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- No need to stress about a 520 point drop in the stock market if you're sitting on $220 million. That's the estimated Powerball Jackpot for Wednesday night.

"I purchase a ticket twice a week," said Becky LaMere.

LaMere had some trouble finding a vendor to sell her a ticket in downtown Minneapolis.

"I don't usually buy downtown," said LaMere.

She walked to several locations before she got lucky. While LaMere purchased her ticket, Bonnie Hudgins stood in line. Hudgins left the store gripping a wad of tickets with both hands.

"A group of us from work did Quick Picks," said Hudgins. "We got 135 tickets." 

If one of those tickets wins, they plan to split the cash.

Hudgins is like many buying a ticket, they only buy when the jackpot is over $100 million. Powerball officials say majority of tickets will be sold in the evening once people get off work. They expect sales will be steady until the drawing.

LaMere and Hudgins said they hope tonight's drawing will send them to an early retirement.

"You can't win if you don't play," said LaMere.

The odds of winning the Powerball is 1-in-195,249,054.

NewsRadio 830 WCCO's Edgar Linares Reports

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