In Dothan, Alabama, excitement is palpable as residents rush to purchase Powerball tickets, spurred by a staggering $1.8 billion jackpot, now the second-highest in the game’s history. The Lotto Discount Liquors store, located just over the Alabama-Florida border, has become a hub for eager players, with its parking lot nearly full of cars.
Avis Peterson, the store supervisor, noted a significant increase in foot traffic, stating, “We have seen some new faces, we’ve seen a lot of people come in looking for that dream, and I hope a lot of people get it.” Peterson recommended players buy multiple tickets to enhance their chances of winning, as the jackpot reaches new heights.
Alabama remains one of just five states without a lottery, prompting residents from nearby areas to make the short trip across the state line. Local woman Kimmie Mathis expressed her frustration, saying, “Just a skip hop and a jump, they should have had it, but I think it’s coming soon.”
Among those making the journey is Audra Whyte, who, although originally from Alabama, now lives in Athens, Georgia, where a state lottery exists. She lamented, “Georgia doesn’t let you win anything, so I came five and a half hours to Florida because they let their people win.” While she appreciates the potential benefits of having a lottery, Whyte voiced concerns about its implications in Alabama, citing a perceived lower crime rate in her home state compared to Georgia.
Both women shared their dreams should they win the jackpot. Mathis plans to “go underground and thank the lord I won it, take care of family and friends, and enjoy life.” In contrast, Whyte has ambitions of quitting her federal job, saying, “I’ll make more than the president, go on vacation, and have an early retirement.”
As excitement builds for the upcoming drawing on Saturday night, many hope their dream of hitting the jackpot will soon become a reality.
