With the largest jackpot in world history, worth nearly $1.5 billion, on the run for the Powerball lottery draw on Wednesday, Jan. 13, many people are excited to participate and hopeful to win.

“1.5 billion dollars means a lot, like a lot of room for helping people and giving,” RaceTrac employee Hannah Crandell said. “It’s a lot of money, a lot to handle.”

The Powerball has failed to draw a winner 18 times in a row and the anticipation has built with each missed draw. Ticket sales have increased along with community optimism and lottery price.

“We have definitely had a lot more people buying tickets than usual,” Crandell said. “Almost every other customer, sometimes multiple customers in a row, is here for a Powerball ticket.”

Winning the lottery holds different incentives and meanings for those participating. From helping loved ones and others in need to investing in financial assets, the jackpot money makes the lottery a valuable game to play.

“We don’t participate in the lottery all the time, only when it gets really big, then it’s fun,” Frisco resident Laurie Hill said. “In the great chance that I win, I would retire, buy land, build a house, and travel. And of course, I would give to charity and family, but not go overboard on family.”

Lottery tickets, which cost $2, are available to purchase at gas stations and convenience stores. Jackpot winners are determined from matched numbers.

“For me, it’s early retirement. If I won, I would pay off debt, buy land, get some animals, and start a charity,” economics teacher Fred Kaiser said. “I don’t buy them very often but you can’t win if you don’t play.”

Whether a ticket results in a win or not, participating in the highest prized lottery in history is a game full of good will, luck and hope.

“I would like to tell the winner, if announced, to just be wise,” Hill said. “It’s not only fun, giving you something to look forward to, but it all relates to the freedom to live how you want to live.”