NY Lottery fever: Staten Island stores see surge in customers eyeing 3rd-highest Powerball jackpot ever

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — This Saturday, Staten Islanders have the opportunity to win $875 million, the third largest Powerball jackpot to date. However, in order to even have a slim chance at the massive payday, many endured longer-than-usual lines in order to purchase their tickets.

Although there’s still time between now and the 10:59 p.m. drawing, the hours are fleeting, and many slanders got a head start securing their Powerball tickets early in the afternoon.

Card$mart, in the Tysens Park Shopping Center in Oakwood, saw a surge in lottery players, forcing them to devote a separate checkout line specifically for those seeking to play lottery numbers. When asked about the turnout, one worker said player numbers were double the usual player count.

A worker from Hylan Dairy Deli Meats & Bagel, in Dongan Hills, echoed the sentiment.

The worker said he anticipates the evening line to stretch across the deli — an occurrence that took place Friday, before the Mega Millions drawing. And that estimated $560,000,000 jackpot sits $315,000,000 lower than the possible $875,000,000 prize.

Over at Thriftway Card & Gift, in Great Kills, employees reaffirmed the apparent Island-wide spike in Powerball ticket purchases.

The jackpots tend to bring out all sorts of lotto players, from veterans to first-timers, the vendor said, some purchasing a scratch-off ticket in addition to their hopeful golden ticket.

“We usually have a line all day long, especially with the jackpots, and we sell a lot of scratch-offs…,’’ said Danny Cavanagh, of Thriftway, who noted that many of the customers are first-time lottery players. “A woman came in this morning. She didn’t even know how to play.”