Powerball play is red-hot

Saturday, February 18, 2006 posted 10:18 AM EST

MUNSTER | Bitter cold temperatures Friday night didn't phase Mike Gilmore as he plopped down $20 for a chance to win the $365 million Powerball.

Gilmore said he was thinking warm thoughts about how he'd spend such a large amount if he is a winner in today's drawing.

"I'd move to the Bahamas. I'd leave the cold for sure," he said.

John Czaja of Schererville and his friend, Todd Larson of Highland, said they both regularly play both Powerball and Hoosier lottery games.

Friday night was no exception as the two came in from the cold to buy their tickets at BP Connect, 1044 Calumet Ave.

"The first thing I would buy would be a Ferrari and then a vacation home or maybe two vacation homes. I have it all planned out," Czaja said.

Larson said he would take care of his friends and family if he won.

"And I'd also donate some of the money to sick children," he said.

BP employee Renee Salach said Powerball business has been so brisk in the last two weeks that a second machine was added.

On the average most people bet $20 to $30, although she has seen customers spend up to $200.

Salach said she expects Powerball purchases to be nonstop today prior to today's drawing. "We've had nonstop lines to the door earlier in the week," she said.

Wednesday's lack of a winner meant the Powerball jackpot jumped to $365, the largest single jackpot in U.S. lottery history.

The jackpot tops the previous lottery record, which was $363 million for the Big Game, the forerunner of Mega Millions. It was won by two ticket holders in Illinois and Michigan in 2000.

Powerball's previous record of $340 million was won by an Oregon family in October.

The chances of winning the jackpot are 1 in 146.1 million. The tickets cost $1, and players try to match six numbers.

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