Update: Powerball Jackpot Jumps to $550M: What Would Do with the Money?

Update, 7 p.m., May 16: The jackpot for Saturday’s Powerball drawing now stands at $550 million, a $75 million increase from Thursday’s earlier advertised jackpot, according to Lottery officials.

Original Story
The jackpot for Saturday night’s Powerball drawing has increased to $475 million, a $115 million increase over Wednesday's advertised jackpot of $360 million, according to the New York Lottery.

Saturday’s drawing will be the second highest jackpot in Powerball history, noted Lottery officials, adding the largest jackpot in Powerball history was drawn on November 28, 2012, and the two winning tickets for that $587 million jackpot were sold in Missouri and Arizona.

The jackpot increase reflects very strong sales across all 43 participating states, Washington, DC, and the United States Virgin Islands, the Lottery agency said. And, according to powerball.com on Thursday morning, May 16, the jackpot has stayed steady at $475 million.

Only if no one matches all five numbers plus the Powerball in Saturday night’s drawing, the jackpot will continue to grow, Lottery officials said.

Tickets for the Saturday, May 18, $475M Powerball jackpot can be purchased until 9 p.m. EST.

In addition to the Powerball millions up for grabs, the Mega Millions jackpot is at $190 million as of Thursday morning, also according to powerball.com, since no one won in Tuesday night's drawing.

The drawing for the Mega Millions jackpot is Friday, May 17.

Those Lindenhurst residents looking to find a local Lottery outlet should visit the New York Lottery website for a local stationery store, 7-Eleven or other small business selling Powerball tickets.

Keep in mind there've been Lindy residents who've hit many a jackpot in the past two years, and there were even seven lucky residents were in a group of 20 Melville Costco employees who won a Powerball jackpot two years ago.

That winning ticket was bought at Maulik and Chandni Stationery store on West Montauk Highway in Lindenhurst.

Are you going to buy a ticket? How many will you get? Will you play specific numbers or do a Quick Pick? Where will you buy them?

Share in the comments section, below. In the meantime read what some of your fellow residents and readers had to say on Facebook, Twitter and here on Lindenhurst Patch:

Vinny V @BleedBlueshirts: Got my ticket! If I'm only winner, I'll build a hockey facility and kids will play for free! #PayItForward

Beth A. LaManna: “Run away. Far, far away where no one could find me! Lol!”

Michelle Gallipoli: “Pay off my house and share with family!” Gabe Lissy: “Buy the Village out, lol.”

Linda Rios: “Leave this town! Lmao!”

Pat Horn-Buckley: “I’d be very happy...so would my family.”

Cindy Halpern: “I’d donate some of it to the Muscular Dystrophy Association of America. Muscular Dystrophy took the lives of both my brothers.”

Bill Shea: “I’d assist, one way or another, every uninsured victim of Sandy get their feet back on the ground!”

Related Coverage:

• Powerball Jackpot Jumps to $475M: What Would Do with the Money?
• Powerball Jackpot at $360M: What Would Do with the Money?

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