Powerball lotto fever sweeps the nation

The Powerball jackpot has ballooned to $360 million in a matter of weeks, a jump that’s propelled it to be the third largest Powerball jackpot and the seventh largest jackpot in history.

Lottery officials say the “cross-selling” of Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as well as a game redesign in 2012, boosted jackpots and increased the odds of winning some kind of prize.

Last month was the first time we could buy powerball tickets here in California. People really pushed for the state to play back in March.

Iowa Lottery spokeswoman Mary Neubauer says large jackpots are “the new normal,” and she expects them to keep surpassing all-time jackpot records set years ago.

The last major win came when a New Jersey man won a $338.3 million jackpot on March 23. It is considered the fourth largest Powerball jackpot in history.

The latest drawing is scheduled Wednesday night. It has a $229.2 million cash value.