What are your chances of actually winning the big one? Video / NZ Herald ...
Imagine this: It's 8.30pm, you've just won $25 million and you're popping champagne to celebrate the life-changing moment. Money suddenly isn't an issue any more and your debts are gone. You've already planned out what you want to splurge out on ... but maybe you shouldn't.
If you won the prize, you'd become only the eighth person in the history of Powerball to win a prize worth more than $25m - it'd turn your life upside down.
The ever-so-distant lifestyle of the rich and famous would be right on your doorstep.
But a word of advice for those who believe a $25m win would be their chance to live like a Bond villain with a helipad, infinity pool and beach-facing mansion.
Real estate agent Michael Boulgaris, who specialises in luxury homes, said maintenance costs for expensive mansions required a deep pocket.
Leftover cash would need to be spent on high electricity bills, cleaning and pool maintenance and insurance.
"It's like running a big ship. You would soon run out of money," he said.
The smart thing instead would be to buy apartment units, lifestyle blocks or commercial buildings, which would grow in value and offer a good income stream.
Hopeful winners were advised to get in early and grab a ticket, Lotto spokeswoman Kirsten Robinson said.
"It's still too early to say what sales will be for Saturday's draw, however, there's certainly a lot of excitement in Lotto stores around the country."
The odds of winning Lotto were 1 in 3.8 million, Lotto said, while the odds of winning Powerball were 1 in 38 million.
Number one was the most frequently drawn Lotto number, followed by number seven.
The most frequently drawn Powerball number was two, which had been selected 159 times.