Record $800 Million Powerball Jackpot Is A Game Changer, Statistically Speaking

Powerball players in 44 states – as well as Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands – are anxiously awaiting Saturday’s lottery drawing, when a record $800 million jackpot is up for grabs.

A few things change when the pot’s that big, says economist Victor Matheson. More people play, of course, and maybe they should – statistically speaking it’s a better bet when the pay-off is sky high. For state budgets hoping to get lucky with ticket sales, however, it’s still a gamble.

Guest

• Victor Matheson, economics professor at The College of The Holy Cross.

Copyright 2016 NPR. To see more, visit NPR.