Staff writer
With a $1.3 billion jackpot for tonight’s Powerball drawing, lottery tickets are flying off the rolls at local convenience stores.
In anticipation, Ampride stores in Marion and Hillsboro will have a “lottery hostess” on hand today to expedite sales.
“The hostesses know how the lottery works and help people fill out forms correctly,” manager Laura Legg said. “It’s something fun and provides a comfort for people who never have purchased a ticket.”
Legg was busy selling Powerball tickets Tuesday morning. The Hillsboro store had sold $1,000 worth of Powerball tickets per day in the past week. She said some groups of 15 to 20 people had purchased $50 to $100 worth of tickets, but most sales were to individuals.
Marion Ampride sold more than $1,500 worth of tickets on Saturday, including one person who spent $200. On Tuesday morning, assistant manager Christina Cooper said the store had sold almost $5,000 worth of tickets in the past week.
Vicki Holler, manager of Casey’s General Store in Hillsboro said sales have been “super.” She said the store had sold $4,600 of tickets since last Tuesday.
“I’m sure it’s a record,” she said.
The biggest sales Holler has seen are $30, mostly to individuals.
Nicole Herzet, manager of Marion’s Casey’s, reported Powerball ticket sales of $6,700 since a week ago Sunday.
“I’ve been here for four years, and this is the most we’ve had in sales,” she said.