ST-BERNARD-DE-LACOLLE – At Marcel’s Diner & Truck Stop, people are feeling lucky.
The restaurant is only minutes from the American border and there’s a last minute frenzy for Powerball tickets.
The jackpot: $1.5 billion US.
“I will buy the winning number,” joked Boucherville resident Gilbert Dyotte. “After that I don’t know what we’re going to do, but we’re going to try to help any people in our lives.”
After Saturday’s $800 million draw didn’t result in a winner, there’s even more anticipation for Wednesday night.
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With so many people buying in, the odds aren’t great: around 1 in 292 million.
There’s a better chance you’ll be struck by lightning, die from a fireworks accident or get hit by an asteroid.
Brigitte Gendrone is the owner of the truck stop and has been across the border at least four times buying hundreds of dollars worth of tickets for friends and family.
“Of course, I’ve been excited since Saturday. I know we don’t have a lot of chance but when we have a little bit of hope, it’s fun.”
She’s hoping not only to cash in on the jackpot, but also on the influx of customers.
“Yesterday was a big day, a lot of people came from Montreal and Saint-Jérôme,” she said. “Today I think it’s going to be the biggest one.”
Montrealer Darin Casier beat the rush and bought his ticket early.
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He said the opportunity was too good to pass up.
“The border wasn’t too far and I figured for a chance at $1 billion – why not?”
And what will he do with all that money?
“I havent thought about it yet. Obviously help out the family, buy a nice house, cars, boats and all that good stuff. Maybe an island in the Carribean.”
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