Lottery retailers in North Texas are seeing more interest in Powerball with Monday's jackpot estimated at $1 billion a few hours before the drawing.
Chuck's Grocery in Arlington has sold more winning lottery tickets than any other location in Tarrant County. Owner Lupe Beltran has set up a "Wall of Winners" with pictures of people who have won $100 up to $1 million.
Beltran says he was expecting his biggest crowds a couple hours before the drawing as people drove home from work Monday afternoon.
"We were pretty busy on Saturday, but nobody won, so now we're getting the next drawing," he says. "Typically, people start getting here after work. It'll start getting really busy in the late afternoon into the evening time."
When a Mega Millions jackpot reached a billion dollars in July, people were lining up at Chuck's Grocery. At one point, Beltran says the line wrapped around his store.
"I'm not sure why, but I've just observed Mega Millions seems to get more visibility than Powerball even though it's up to a billion dollars," he says.
Regardless, Beltran says he was ready to welcome people waiting until Monday to buy tickets. He says people may come to his store to buy tickets, but they might also buy soda or a meal.
"It definitely helps us," he says. "We get to know our neighbors, the people who come by, and sometimes we get long-term customers out of it. We really like that."
The Texas Lottery says 66.8% of revenue raised from the sale of tickets in all games went to winners last year, 24.3% went to the Foundation School Fund, 5.3% went to retailers who participate, 3.3% pays for lottery administration, and .3% went to veterans' assistance.
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