The countdown is on and the country is buzzing with excitement as Australians dare to dream about what they’d do if they won tonight’s $80 million Powerball prize.
It’s the biggest jackpot offered by an Australian lottery game since July 2020, with up to one-in-four Australian adults expected to have an entry into the draw.
The last time Powerball jackpotted to $80 million, ticket sales peaked at 5:27pm on the Thursday afternoon, when 4,367 tickets were sold in store and online in one minute.
The Lott spokesperson Lauren Cooney said she expected a similar peak today as people were finishing work for the day and dreaming of not going back again tomorrow.
“It’s a trend we certainly see in the lead up to every big jackpot, ticket sales peaking on the afternoon of the draw, just as people are knocking off work for the day,” she explained.
“I imagine there are a few people out there who have pre-written their resignation letters in their minds in the hope that their numbers are the ones drawn tonight.
“Others will spend today dreaming about what homes they might buy, the holidays they might enjoy and who they might share their prize with if they become Australia’s newest multi-millionaire.”
For those wanting a chance to win $80 million, Ms Cooney said it was always a good idea to avoid the late afternoon rush.
“We’re certainly expecting it to get very busy this afternoon in stores and online as we near draw close at 7:30pm AEST,” she said.
“Our advice is to get in early and make sure you register your tickets to a player card or an online account.
“We will be reaching out to any registered or online division one winners straight after the draw, so make sure all of your contact details are up to date and if you see someone calling you later tonight, pick up your phone.
“You could be our fifth Powerball division one winner of 2021!”
Powerball draw 1301 closes on Thursday 22 April 2021 at 7:30pm AEST.