TERRE HAUTE —
Free Powerball tickets from the Hoosier Lottery were a hit early today at the Thornton’s gas station on South Third Street near Davis Drive.
Many customers entering the store accepted the free tickets handed out by two lottery employees. And several people continued to the check-out counter to buy additional chances at winning the Powerball jackpot, estimated at $500 million for Wednesday’s drawing.
“I don’t know what I’ll do with it if I win, but we’ll see,” said one customer, who declined to be identified to the Tribune-Star.
Another anonymous customer, who denied that he was following a Gamblers Anonymous practice of remaining anonymous, said he has played the lottery for a long time, and buys tickets at Thornton’s twice a week to pick his special numbers.
Another customer, who gave his name as “Mike”, said he heard about the free ticket giveaway and visited the store early to pick up another chance at winning.
“I’ve already bought more,” he said.
Lottery representatives said about 15 people were lined up at the store when the free ticket giveaway began at 6 a.m. But after that, the tickets were handed out as customers passed through.
The tickets, printed out Tuesday at an Indianapolis lottery location, numbered 500. They were expected to be passed into the hands of 500 hopeful jackpot winners by 8 a.m.
The free ticket giveaway has become a practice of the Hoosier Lottery to boost participation when the jackpot reaches an unusually high level. The current jackpot is the second-highest in the history of the multi-state lottery.
The odds of winning Wednesday’s Powerball jackpot are estimated at 175 million-to-1.
Local & Bistate
Free tickets for 500
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Vigo County Jail Log: May 21, 2013
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2013 Government Directory now available
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The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, based on jail records.
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For Piper: Annual ‘Rush the Punter’ event dedicated to Dixie Bee student who died Wednesday after a short illness
Steve Weatherford’s “Rush the Punter” fundraiser at Fairbanks Park on Saturday was dedicated to a little girl who lost her life unexpectedly to pneumonia.
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Vigo schools prepare to tighten belts
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Veterans take to the trees
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ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
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Can you smell me now?
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GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
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N.Y. Giants honor Weatherford as ‘Man of the Year’
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Sunday recital at The Woods
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