MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Thousands of Mid-Southerners didn’t want to miss their chance at winning such a huge payout.
Some gas stations said they saw four to five times the amount of people who usually buy tickets.
Many of them were playing for the first time.
“It’s really crazy!” said Powerball player Elliot Donaldson. “I’m definitely going to be the winner.”
Up to 20 people constantly stood in line at Love’s gas station on Lamar Wednesday.
With more than $1 billion on the line, many people couldn’t resist playing the Powerball.
Love’s had up to four people behind the cash register.
They said thousands of customers came through the door starting around 5 a.m.
That’s how it was across the city.
A B.P. gas station on Elvis Presley was chaotic as the line wrapped around the store.
Nikki Williams was one of the many who stood in it.
She said she doesn’t typically play the Powerball, but this time she’s banking on her lucky numbers.
“My numbers are going to come from my siblings. I have five siblings, so I am going to pick their birthdays. The last number I’m picking from my mother,” she said.
If you win the Powerball jackpot, make sure to call a lawyer and accountant right away, because a guy named Uncle Same wants his cut, and it’s a lot.
If you take the lump sum of $930 million dollars, the IRS will take 25% before you even get the check.
That’s $232 million.
Uncle Sam isn’t finished with you either.
At the end of the year, you’ll be taxed at the highest income bracket of 39.6%, which means you owe the IRS another $136 million.
That leaves you with $562 million.