Powerball Expansion Has Meant Less Business for Tiverton Store Owners

in Tiverton has giant letters out front and a sign at the clerk counter telling customers about the $250 million estimated Powerball Jackpot, but there aren't any lines forming.

Owner Joseph Sabino said it's been a little busier than usual due to the jackpot, but since neighboring Massachusetts got Powerball, there has been a big change in how many people come in to play numbers at his Tiverton store.

"It's partly the economy," he said Wednesday, "but I don't have these big lines coming in to play exclusively."

Sabino said before Rhode Island and Massachusetts shared Powerball and Mega Millions, residents from as far as Cape Cod, New Bedford and Fall River would come to Tiverton to play Powerball.

"I used to drive down from Brockton/West Bridgewater to play here," said one customer who stopped into the store on his way back from Newport.

Sabino added that since Powerball increased its ticket price from $1 to $2 last month, that has created the same effect.

"It's a strategy to get the marginal players to play more often," he said. "But what's happening is devoted players are upset because they play every week loyally. Some would get 10 Powerball tickets. Now they're cutting them [down] to $6 or $8.

According to a press release about the price change, Rhode Island Lottery states that Powerball Jackpots will start at $40 million and grow faster overall. It says there will also be more chances to win a prize of at least $1 million cash and that the  overall odds of winning any prize in the game will be better. It states that in response to players' requests for more million dollar winners, the prize for matching five out of five numbers will increase to $1 million from $200,000 and if players purchase PowerPlay, that prize will become $2 million.

Location is everything in Tiverton when catering to the Massachusetts crowd, Sabino noted. He said that even on Stafford Road, which used to be tops in Rhode Island for Powerball ticket sales, has taken a hit.

manager Harry Patel said he's also lost clientele since the Powerball was introduced in Massachusetts. But Wednesday's $250 million jackpot has brought more business to his store. Near his register is a sign telling customers about the ticket change, stating it will mean a "bigger jackpot, more winners and better chances."

"It's a good thing," Patel said, noting that some customers complained about the price hike, but in the end, there is a bigger jackpot. "It's good for the lottery. It's increased the scratch ticket purchases. It's good for revenue and good for business."

Powerball drawings are every Wednesday and Saturday.