News Summary
With the Powerball jackpot soaring to $1.8 billion, excitement fills Metro Detroit as residents flock to retail locations for their chance to win big. Retailers are bracing for a surge in ticket sales ahead of the drawing on Saturday. Notably, the jackpot marks the longest streak without a winner in Powerball history, with 42 drawings since the last jackpot was claimed. The phenomenon known as ‘jackpot fever’ is bringing out not just regular players, but also those who typically don’t engage with the lottery, leading to a significant rise in ticket purchases.
Metro Detroit is buzzing with excitement as the estimated Powerball jackpot skyrockets to $1.8 billion, stirring interest among both regular and new lottery players. This astonishing amount represents a spending power of $826.4 million and marks the second-highest jackpot in Powerball history, trailing only behind a $2.04 billion ticket sold in November 2022 in Altadena, California. The next Powerball drawing is scheduled for Saturday night, leading many Metro Detroit residents to flock to local retail outlets for their chance at winning big.
Retailers across the area are preparing for a surge in ticket sales. Notably, Eddie Hesano, owner of Eddie’s Walled Lake Liquor, expects heightened activity as the jackpot draws nearer. This excitement is echoed by local residents, including an 84-year-old man from Clawson who recently bought his ticket and quipped about the aspirations of becoming a billionaire. The sense of anticipation and the phenomenon often referred to as “jackpot fever,” where large jackpots draw in more players, is palpable as the drawing date approaches.
In anticipation of the upcoming drawing, Michigan residents are taking advantage of the approximately 10,000 retail locations where lottery tickets are sold across the state. Notably, up to 27 cents of every lottery dollar spent is returned to the state lottery’s school aid fund, contributing to educational resources. Recent reports indicate that Metro Detroit has seen a flurry of activity, with two separate $1 million prizes being won in the past week alone. One winning ticket was purchased at CVS Pharmacy on East Warren Avenue in Grosse Pointe, while another was sold at Sunkiss Market on Puritan Street in Detroit, where the prize was multiplied to $2 million through Power Play.
As the jackpot has grown, there has been a noticeable increase in players who typically do not engage with the lottery. Aven Zebari, the owner of Main Street Liquor in Clawson, highlighted that ticket sales tend to rise by about 30% during jackpots exceeding $1 billion. Many people participate in “office pools,” where coworkers combine their funds to buy multiple tickets—an arrangement that allows them to share the thrill and potential winnings while increasing their chances of success.
The ongoing jackpot streak is notable, with the current figure at $1.7 billion, and a cash option of $770.3 million. However, this jackpot marks the longest streak without a winner in Powerball history, with 42 drawings having occurred since the last jackpot was claimed on May 31, 2025. Interestingly, Michigan law mandates that lottery winners must be publicly identified, although they can maintain anonymity through Lottery Clubs.
Participants have until the drawing on Saturday night to make their purchases, and those who match all five white balls will receive $1 million prizes, as was witnessed in the recent draws. Players are urged to not miss out, as the chance to become an instant millionaire draws them in. Ken Herteg, a regular player, reflected the sentiment shared by many hopefuls: the belief that “you can’t win if you don’t play.” Those lucky enough to win will have a full year—365 days—from the drawing date to claim their prizes.
As excitement builds, many are already dreaming of what they’d do with their winnings. With the clock ticking down to Saturday’s draw, retail stores are bracing for a deluge of last-minute ticket buyers, eager to take part in what could be a life-changing event.
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HERE Resources
Additional Resources
- Detroit News
- Michigan Lottery Connect
- Fox 2 Detroit
- Detroit Free Press
- CBS News Detroit
- Wikipedia: Powerball
Author: STAFF HERE DETROITMI WRITER
DETROIT STAFF WRITER The DETROIT STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDetroitMI.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Detroit, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Movement Electronic Music Festival, Detroit Grand Prix, and America's Thanksgiving Parade. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Detroit Regional Chamber and Focus HOPE, plus leading businesses in automotive and healthcare that power the local economy such as General Motors, Ford Motor Company, and Henry Ford Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, HERENovi.com, and HEREPlymouth.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
