Texans are taking a larger interest in playing the Powerball online as the jackpot for New Year's Day approaches the $500m mark. According to theLotter Texas, the trend of online Powerball sales was further boosted by Powerball adding a third weekly drawing on Mondays back in the summer. This move has increased ticket sales revenue and pushed up jackpots at a faster rate than previously.
Peggy Daniel, theLotter’s US Managing Director, said the convenience and security of online play both contributed to the surge in activity.
"We have been around as a company since 2002, but our recent growth in Texas rather stands out," said Daniel. "Online lottery play offers convenience and safety, and all past winners have all successfully claimed their prize money and collected their winnings, which has strongly aided the trust our customers in Texas have developed in theLotter. We always abide by the strictest standards of all local guidelines. We also recently started offering Texans the ability to purchase lottery tickets online using their debit card or PayPal, and those moves are proving to be popular."
The Powerball jackpot record of $1.58bn was won back in January 2016. Since then, the record hasn’t been topped. With the impetus of three draws a week, the Powerball now surpasses the $400m mark more rapidly and more frequently.
Daniel also said the increase in sales is good for charities and lottery players alike.
“We're selling more tickets every week,” Daniel said. “This is not just good news for our customers and us as a company, it also provides Texan charities with much-needed additional income."
