Wagga $80m Powerball lottery tickets in demand for near-record jackpot

If just one person wins the entire jackpot on Thursday night, they will become Australia's equal third-biggest lottery winner.

Hunters newsagent co-owner Sharlene Woodhouse said she had put on extra staff to manage the higher ticket sales.

"The PowerHit ticket with two games has been popular," she said.

"We've had people lining up out the door at times.

"You usually get a lot more interest when the jackpot gets this high."

The Lottery prize record was set in 2019 by Sydney mum who won a $107 million Powerball prize.

The Lott spokesperson Matt Hart said Thursday's $80 million draw was only the eighth time Powerball had soared to this height in its 25-year history.

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"Last year, we had two $80 million Powerball draws and on both of those occasions, a single entry won this huge jackpot," he said.

This year there have been four Powerball division one winners who have collectively won $120 million, including two winners from NSW.

The lure of a potential massive windfall has brought in people who usually do not play the lottery.

"We have had a lot of first-timers coming in and asking how they can enter Powerball," Ms Woodhouse said.

"People want to know how they can get in on it so they'll have a chance at the $80 million."

Entries close at 7.30pm on Thursday with the numbers drawn shortly afterwards.

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