People around the nation lined up to purchase a Powerball ticket after the winnings shot up to $500 million on Wednesday, but the ticket holders aren’t the only ones who will benefit from sales.
Each state gets revenue from ticket sales in their area, including Colorado.
"That's what we would normally sell in a week," said Colorado Lottery spokeswoman Kelly Tabor.
Only about 62 percent of every ticket sale goes to the Powerball jackpot.
A $2 Powerball ticket breaks down like this:
- $1.24 - Powerball jackpot
- 14 cents - Colorado Lottery administrative costs
- 14 cents - Retailers that sell lottery
- 24 cents - GoCo (Great Outdoors Colorado) for state parks, trails and open spaces
- 19 cents - Conservation Trust Fund for local parks and recreation
- 5 cents - Colorado Parks and Wildlife
"Having these big 'jackpot runs,' as we call them, absolutely help us meet all of our proceeds goals," said Tabor. "Next time you're in a state park or a dog park or on a bike trail, thank a lottery player."
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