The massive sales made a jackpot (a prize that accumulates until won) in the American lottery game, Powerball, hit $1.6 billion.
On Saturday night, the Powerball prize, which has not been won in more than three months, will be drawn. If a person's ticket matches the numbers drawn, it will be the largest amount won in lottery history.
The odds of winning are 1 in 292.2 million, Powerball said.
Powerball winners can receive the money in cash or in 30 annual payments over 29 years. Both advertised price options do not include tax. Almost all winners choose the cash prize, which for the next drawing will be about 782.4 million dollars.