BY SUSAN STOCUM
The Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa -- After nobody won a $183 million weekend jackpot, Powerball lottery ticket sellers prepared Sunday for the hysteria sure to accompany a record $250 million midweek prize, calling in extra workers and setting up additional ticket machines.
Crowds of customers from non-Powerball states pack into border grocery stores and gas stations to try to beat Powerball's 80 million-to-1 odds.
In Indiana, Hoosier Lottery officials have delivered extra terminals to lottery retailers in cities near the Ohio, Michigan and Illinois state lines.
Big Red Liquors in Richmond, Ind., along the Ohio line, received three terminals to boost its total to four because it is traditionally one of the state's busiest stores during large Powerball jackpots, lottery spokesman Andrew Reed said.
"We're expecting a very, very busy week. I would suggest that people, if they're going to buy, to buy early to save themselves from standing in some very long lines," Mr. Reed said.
"Maybe if we ask them now, it won't be so bad."
Heading to Powerball sellers early didn't help players in Greenwich, Conn., outside New York, where Powerball play isn't available. Lines Sunday morning at Greenwich vendors were about 100 people deep, said police Sgt. John Brown.
Wednesday's estimated jackpot is the largest ever available to one player, breaking the record set in May -- a $195 million Powerball jackpot.
