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Powerball Lottery Tickets Go On Sale In California

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — People aspiring to be millionaires crowded lottery retailers throughout California on Monday as the state became the 43rd to offer Powerball.

Some San Francisco shopkeepers told KCBS that they had a line of customers waiting when they opened their doors Monday morning.

For the past several weeks, the California Lottery has blitzed the airwaves with an huge ad campaign for the new game.

SF Lottery Players Have Dollar Signs In Eyes As Powerball Sales Begin In California

"This is a $2 game, but the pluses are the jackpots start at $40 million and they roll at least $10 million each time," said Lottery spokeswoman Cathy Doyle Johnston.

Even at the higher ticket prices, there are plenty lot of Californians itching to get rich quick these days.

Linda, who did not give her last name, picked up tickets at a 7-Eleven store in San Francisco on Monday. She said $338 million sounds nice, but didn't want to seem greedy.

"Even if I get a little piece of it I'd be happy. Just a piece!" Linda said.

Wednesday night's jackpot is already up to $60 million and is expected to go even higher now that California is on board.

According to lottery officials, Powerball is expected to bring between $50 and $100 million to the state's education system.

(Copyright 2013 by CBS San Francisco. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)

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