RECORD-BREAKING $240M JACKPOT CREATES ENDLESS POSSIBILITIES; Tennessee’s All-time High Powerball Jackpot Win Could Spur In-state Spending Spree, Among Other Things…

NASHVILLE – Winning Tennessee’s highest-ever Powerball jackpot of an estimated $240 million would create endless possibilities: Imagine settling into 499 rolling acres in picturesque Williamson County, complete with a 23,000 square foot mansion with 10 fireplaces, elevator, guest house, 16-stall stable and more for a mere $12.5 million. If waterfront living is more your style, why not consider a private, 20-acre island on beautiful Douglas Lake, just minutes from the Great Smoky Mountains, for a paltry $1.3 million? Or, how about a beautiful Tudor-style home nestled amongst century-old trees in Memphis’ historic Overton Park for just $1.2 million?

Can’t decide? If a player wins Wednesday night’s Powerball jackpot, that person would have no problem acquiring all three as just a beginning of what such a win could bring.

“When a jackpot gets this high, we’d expect to see four or five times the sales we’d normally see with a starting jackpot, which is a huge boost for education,” said Rebecca Paul, CEO and President of the Tennessee Lottery. “It’s likely that players and non-players are thinking about what they could do with such an incredibly large jackpot, which adds to the fun of the games.”

In addition to purchasing unusually grand properties in all three grand divisions, Tennessee players who enjoy what the Volunteer State has to offer might consider:

A day with family and friends—and no one else—at the Memphis Zoo. Price: $70,000. Follow that with an evening wrap-up gala at FedEx Forum, Price to rent facility: $40,000-$50,000.

An exclusive after-hours party for up to 100 people at Chattanooga’s Tennessee Aquarium, complete with private tours, dinner, music and goodie bags from the Aquarium gift shop. Price: $10,000-$12,000.

And of course, a top-of-the-line personal helicopter to travel throughout the state. According to experts, a Sikorsky S-76C is a top-choice of executives and government leaders. Price: $6-$8 million. (new)

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). The Lotto 5 jackpot for Monday night is estimated at $175,000. 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 June 30, 2005, the Lottery had raised more than $359 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.