Powerball Jackpot Tops $500 Million - Beckley, Bluefield & Lewisburg News, Weather, Sports

Powerball Jackpot Tops $500 Million

CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) -

Powerball ticket sales are surging in West Virginia as players buy chances to win the largest jackpot in the multistate game's history.

The jackpot for Wednesday's drawing now stands at $425 million.

West Virginia Lottery Director John Musgrave says sales for Saturday's drawing topped $1 million. Lottery officials expect strong sales again for Wednesday's drawing.

Eight Powerball players in West Virginia have won jackpots. They include Jack Whittaker, who won a $314.9 million jackpot in 2002, and Randy Smith, who won a $79 million prize in 2010.

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