(Madison)—Wisconsin Lottery Director Michael Edmonds is reminding lottery players to play responsibly and within their means as tonight’s Powerball jackpot reaches an estimated $180 million.

“Big Powerball jackpots are very exciting, because there’s always that chance that you can be the one to win it all,” said Edmonds.  “It’s fun to dream about winning millions, but this is the kind of dream you should enjoy with your eyes wide open.”

The odds of winning the Powerball jackpot are 1:146,000,000.  Edmonds said with those odds, a player’s chances of claiming the jackpot don’t significantly increase whether he spends $1 or $100. In fact, Edmonds said many of Wisconsin’s Powerball jackpot winners have spent $5 or less on their winning tickets.

“That’s one of the great things about Powerball.  You don’t have to spend a lot to win a lot.”

Edmonds said the vast majority of Wisconsin residents play Powerball the way it’s supposed to be played—for the fun of it.  He said when jackpots grow large the Lottery believes a friendly reminder about playing responsibly is appropriate, because more people who are unfamiliar with Powerball start getting in the game. 

Powerball sales in Wisconsin have now grown to nearly three times their normal volume, coming in at $1,527,822 for the Saturday, October 1 drawing. A typical Powerball drawing produces about $530,000 in sales in Wisconsin.

Powerball drawings are at 9:59pm on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Ticket sales for tonight’s $180 million jackpot end at 9pm tonight.