BOISE, Idaho ÔÇô The Powerball jackpot for Saturday night is now estimated $325 million for the 30-payment annuity. The one-time cash jackpot for Saturday night's draw is a Powerball record of $202.9 million. As the weekend approaches, the Idaho Lottery Director is reminding players to play responsibly as retailers gear up to handle additional visitors to their stores to purchase tickets.

ÔÇï"Any time the Powerball jackpot reaches record levels there is always an increase in player participation in the game," said Idaho Lottery Director, Jeff Anderson. "We want to remind everyone that when they do play, to please do so responsibly. The game is a lot of fun, but the odds are also long. Play what you can afford, don't go overboard."

ÔÇïSaturday night's Powerball jackpot is the third largest in Powerball history for the 30-payment annuity option. The one-time cash option is a new record for Powerball, eclipsing a mark set in February 2006. If the jackpot is won on Saturday night, it would be the ninth largest ever in the world.

ÔÇïIt's been more than four years since Idaho Lottery players have had the opportunity to play for a Powerball jackpot over the $300 million mark. This is leading to an increase in players visiting the more than 1,000 retail locations in Idaho that sell Powerball.

"When the Powerball jackpot soars to over $300 million, it definitely brings in a lot of customers who are not regular lottery players," said Doug Ball of Fast Eddy's three locations in Meridian. "We keep three or more people on shift at every store to handle the crowd. While we hope the jackpot is sold at one of our stores, it┬┤s nice knowing that each ticket we do sell helps out our Idaho public schools."ÔÇï

ÔÇï"When the jackpots reach this $300 million level, we bring in extra staff to handle the additional traffic we have in all of our stores," added Jon Mangum, Stinker Stores Retail Operations Manager.

"A big Powerball jackpot on the weekend keeps our stores really busy," said Segment Value Manager Ryan Morton of Maverik. "It does create a fun atmosphere because there always is that possibility that one of your players could be the jackpot winner."ÔÇï

ÔÇïCombined, Maverik and Stinker Stores operate 116 locations across the Gem State.

ÔÇïThe Lottery just recently kicked-off a statewide campaign to celebrate 20 years of Powerball in Idaho. In Powerball's history in Idaho, this game alone has created 15 millionaires including eight jackpot winners. Of the seven $1,000,000 prize winners, three won that prize amount in the last 14 months.

The last opportunity players have to purchase a ticket for the record Powerball jackpot is Saturday evening at 7:55 p.m. Mountain Time when the draw closes. The winning numbers are announced at 8:59 p.m. Mountain Time.ÔÇï

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