Powerball dreamers hoping for big prize of $320 million

The cash value of the prize if taken as a lump sum is $212 million, the largest pot of money ever offered by Powerball. The game, which costs $2 a ticket, is played in 42 states.

The drawing will air on WRAL TV and WRAL.com at 10:59 p.m.

At the BP Family Fare convenience store in Fayetteville, employees were bracing for the last-minute rush of customers looking to buy a ticket by the 9:59 p.m. deadline.

“I mean, $100 million ain’t enough for ‘em,” cashier Connie Pruitt said. “When it hits that $300 (million) mark, they’re coming out of the woodwork.”

The steady stream of lunchtime customers were buying – and dreaming.

“I figure I might as well buy a ticket because you’ve got to be in it to win it,” Doreene Banks said.

Corey Hosley said if he won, he’d use the money to help others.

"First, I can help out here in the community because it’s bad,” he said. “And probably help out some of my family members – help them out, too.”

Charlesina Stonewall figured frequency is the key to winning big.

“You’ve got to feel it, just knowing it’s your time,” she said. “You play every day. Your time has got to come.”

The BP, at Morganton and Reilly roads, boasts more lottery sales than any other vendor in the state. Last year, the store sold $2.4 million in tickets.