BRISK POWERBALL SALES PUSH JACKPOT TO $300M FOR SATURDAY! State embraces record-high jackpot, retailers report brisk sales

NASHVILLE – Increased sales have spurred Powerball officials to increase the estimated jackpot for Saturday night’s draw from $290 million to a staggering $300 million, adding to the excitement throughout Tennessee.

“Retailers are bustling, players are excited and it’s all for a great cause,” said Rebecca Paul, CEO and President of the Tennessee Lottery. “It’s this kind of jackpot run that creates excitement for everyone.”

One of the Lottery’s top-selling retailers in Ardmore, Tenn. reports its highest sales since the Lottery began just over 20 months ago. Lines are long but animated, and players are chatting about the possibility of such an enormous win.

Additional details about this Powerball jackpot run include:

o This current run began on 8/13/05.

o This coming draw will be the 19th draw in this run.

o If the jackpot is hit on Saturday, it would rank as the 2nd largest in Powerball history, and the 4th largest in the world.

o There have only been two jackpot runs over $100 million this calendar year (a total of 13 draws during these runs had jackpots of $1 million or more).

o During those same two jackpot runs of over $100 million this calendar year, the jackpot reached over $200 million on 4 separate draws.

Powerball drawings are held on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 9:59 p.m. CST (10:59 p.m. EST). In addition to Powerball, Lotto 5 drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights at 10:34 p.m. CST (11:34 p.m. EST). CASH 3 and CASH 4 drawings are held every night at 6:28 p.m. CST (7:28 p.m. EST). Watch for all drawings on official Tennessee Lottery television stations throughout the state.

The Tennessee Lottery began selling its first tickets on January 20, 2004. As of Sept. 30, 2005, the Lottery had raised more than $415 million to fund specific education programs, including college scholarships, pre-kindergarten and after-school programs. For more information, please visit www.tnlottery.com. For information about Lottery-funded scholarships, visit www.collegepaystn.com.