Lotto's Powerball jackpot has reached a record $25 million for this Saturday's draw.
"New Zealanders are very excited about the massive Powerball prize, and with sales already high this week we can now guarantee that the First Division jackpot prize will be at least $25 million for this weekend's draw," a Lottories Commission spokesman said.
The jackpot was previously $24 million.
"What's more, if the top prize is not won this weekend, the jackpot for next week is very likely to reach the $30 million cap, meaning that it would become a ‘Must Be Won' draw," he said.
When a ‘must be won' draw is held, if the Powerball first division prize is not won, the powerball first division prize pool is added to that of the next highest Powerball prize division where there are winners and shared between those winners.
There have only been three ‘must be won' draws in the history of Powerball, and each time they were won by Powerball second division winners.
"We are expecting our Lotto retailers to be very busy this week. Ticket sales last weekend were more than double what they are during a normal week, so we are encouraging everyone to buy their ticket early to avoid the worst of the queues," he said.
"Our retailers are reporting a large increase in people buying on behalf of syndicates - so there will be many workplaces around the country with a keen interest in Saturday night's draw results."
The odds of winning Powerball are 1 in 38,383,800.
