Lotto’s Powerball reached a whopping $50m after Wednesday’s draw turned up no first division winner, inspiring endless possibilities in the minds of Dunedin residents on what they would do with the dough.
If won by a single ticket, the first division jackpot would be the largest prize won in Lotto history.
Two million tickets are expected to be sold.
Green Island Fresh Choice Lotto counter operator Wendy Fahey said one man told her he would fund the Dunedin hospital build himself when he "won his 50 million".
"Everybody thinks they are going to win it.
"There is a lot of people telling me what they would do with the money, and a lot of it is how much they would donate to places such as the SPCA, St John and the likes.
"It’s quite cool we have that kind of culture and at least part would go to somewhere that needs it."
One man told the Otago Daily Times he would build an underground "doomsday shelter" hidden away in an undisclosed part of the Rock and Pillar Range, decked out with an aircraft hanger and an indoor "LED micro-greens farm".
The staff at the Fresh Choice Lotto counter were also in on the fun, having a staff pool for all the first division draws.
"We’ve all popped in some money, but I don’t think the boss would be happy with no staff come Monday if we did win."
Some customers coming through their doors were first-time buyers, Ms Fahey said.
"There is a lot of explaining to people how to actually buy a ticket and what to do on Saturday when the numbers are drawn."
Lotto head of corporate communications Lucy Fullarton said two million tickets were expected to be sold nationally for tonight’s draw.
The first Powerball $50m jackpot was struck in February 2020, when two winners won $25.1m.
Another $50m must-be-won draw then took place six months later in August 2020 with the prize rolling down to Powerball second division.
It was shared by 10 winners, who each received $5.02m.
