Advertisement

Virginia Lottery notes steep Powerball sales dip during solar eclipse

By Ben Hooper
Virginia Lottery said Powerball ticket sales dropped 25 percent during eclipse. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Virginia Lottery said Powerball ticket sales dropped 25 percent during eclipse. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

Aug. 23 (UPI) -- The Virginia Lottery said a near-record Powerball jackpot has led to skyrocketing ticket sales -- except during the solar eclipse.

Lottery officials said the estimated $650 million jackpot, the second-largest in Powerball history, has led to robust Virginia ticket sales for Wednesday night's drawing, but there was a noted 25 percent drop in sales for a single hour Monday from 2 p.m. until 3 p.m. -- prime viewing time for the solar eclipse.

Advertisement

"Of course, the 2:00 hour was when the rare solar eclipse was visible across Virginia -- and presumably people were watching it rather than playing Powerball. At 3:00, with the eclipse ended, sales returned to their previous strong level," the lottery said.

The current jackpot is the second-largest Powerball prize and the third largest of all lottery jackpot games.

Latest Headlines