The Powerball Lotto had people across 44 states scrambling to purchase what they hoped was the winning ticket to a historic $1.5 billion jackpot, the largest prize ever.
In the end, three winning tickets in three different states, including California, were sold. The Golden State winner was not from South County. But for a few hours before the Wednesday night drawing their dreams of high rolling and generosity were intact.
Cliff Steagall,76, showed up at King’s Liquor, 320 E St. in Chula Vista, hoping to cash in on some beginner’s luck.
“I never played the Lotto before; I didn’t even know how to fill the ticket out,” he said.
A store employee had to show him how to pick his lucky numbers for his $2 ticket. Steagall picked his numbers based on his and his late wife’s birthdays.
Like anyone else who dreams of winning $1.5 billion, Steagall knew how he would spend the money.
“The biggest part of the money will probably go to charities,” he said.
Steagall, a retiree, said the main charities he would help out are those for wounded veterans and Noah Homes, an assisted living facility that provides residential services to adults with intellectual and development disabilities.
Up the street at the 7-Eleven at 403 Third Ave., a slew of customers were walking out with their Powerball tickets.
Pedro declined to give his last name because he wanted to maintain his anonymity if he won.
The 60-year-old spent $6 on a mixture of picking his own numbers consisting of birthdays and important dates and also bought a Quick Pick.
If he were to win the Powerball Pedro said he wouldn’t know where to begin spending $1.5 billion.
“I have no idea,” he said. “I wouldn’t know what to do with all that money.”
He did say he would offer to buy the San Diego Chargers to keep them in San Diego.
Pedro played at the 7-Eleven on Third Avenue because it was the closest store. He said he doesn’t have a preference as to where to play the Lotto.
“The way I see it, if you’re lucky, you’re lucky,” he said.
While King’s Liquor is seeing more foot traffic for the Powerball, it hasn’t translated to good business as customers leave empty handed.
“People are just coming straight here, buying a Lotto ticket and leaving,” said King’s Liquor employee Rawaa Odesh.
On the other hand, a 7-Eleven employee thinks his store will get plenty of notoriety on Thursday.
“Come back tomorrow because we’re selling the winning ticket,” he said.
He was sort of right.
The winning California ticket was sold at a 7-Eleven — in Chino Hills.
