HOUSTON – Dreams were dashed quickly for millions of Powerball players when two tickets sold in Arizona and Missouri had the winning numbers to split the $580 million prize.
But in the Houston area, two winners will still have some extra cash just in time for the holidays. Two winning tickets worth $1 million were sold in Houston and Humble. One was sold at the Stop By Market, 4040 Boone Rd., in Houston and the other was sold at the Timewise Food Store, 7501 FM 1960 Road, in Humble. Both were "quick picks." A store in Dallas and San Antonio also sold $1 million tickets.
There's no word yet on who bought those $1 million tickets.
The winning numbers were 5, 16, 22, 23, 29, and the Powerball was 6.
On Wednesday, the Powerball jackpot rose to $580 million, a record high prize for that game.
Hundreds of people went to Rudy's Stop and Shop in Rosenberg to buy their tickets. It sells more lottery tickets than any other store in Texas.
The owner said Wednesday was like his "Super Bowl." He estimated he sold more than 20,000 Powerball tickets Wednesday.
He said players drove as much as 25 miles just to buy a ticket. Owner Mike Prasla told Local 2 he has had many winners before.
"We got a million dollar and a lady won $100,000 and then a lot of $25,000 and $10,000," Prasla said.
His customers had many reasons for buying tickets. Customer Kristi Carter said, "We made a pact that if we win, we're going to give part of it to our school, and to our church."
Her friend, Ninfa Bradbury said "It's just fun! It's something that we can do together. If we win we win. If not, We've spent time together. Our life doesn't depend on this. It's just fun."
"I might split some with my family and even give y'all a piece," one hopeful winner said.
"Debt … a new car … a vacation … debt," one person said. "That's about it. It's America, that's how it works."
There are as many ideas of how to spend the money as there are dollars in the jackpot.
"I'm going to take it and give all my grandkids money," Billy Williams said. "I have eight grandkids."
Some people had dreams of fame while still helping others.
"I'm going to split it up with a lot of people and me and my daughter are going to start a reality show," Iris Fitzgerald said. "We're going to go all over the globe looking for people that need money. Stay tuned!"
Prasla said his store has been the biggest lottery seller in Texas for seven years.