Win or lose: Benefits of buying into Powerball

WYNNEFIELD (WPVI) -- Across the nation, lottery hopefuls pay $2 for a ticket in hopes of striking it rich.

Officials say every time someone buys into the frenzy - win or lose - a program or someone in need benefits.

"I realize you have virtually no chance of winning, but somebody is going to," said Kate Silver of Center City.

And that's because every ticket sold means revenue toward your state.

We asked Sharen Teacher of Center City if she knew where the money goes in the state of Pennsylvania.

"Yes, to people like me: senior citizens," said Teacher.

Since 1971, the lottery in Pennsylvania has provided more than $24.7 billion to programs for the elderly.

In 2015, the bulk - $330 million - covering long-term services at home or in an assisted living facility, followed by millions in low prescription drug assistance, rent rebates, meals for seniors and free transportation.

In Delaware, ticket sales for Wednesday night's drawing generated $4 million, 30 percent of which goes in the state's general fund.

In 2015, lotto sales helped New Jersey pump $960 million into universities, school nutrition programs and veteran homes

"It doesn't make me feel any better that I'm going to win, but it does make me feel better that I'm not throwing away my money entirely," said lottery player Kyle Burke.

Burke tells us he has a system for picking the winning numbers.

"I ran through all the lottery numbers for the last 20 years and then through them into a system to say what's the percentage of these numbers hitting," said Burke.

Still, dreaming big is all part of the fun.

"It's very exciting. I know it's going to be half of what Donald Trump has," said Habtom Weldeyesus of South Philadelphia.

The winning numbers for Wednesday's record-setting $1.5 billion Powerball jackpot drawing are as follows: 4, 8, 19, 27, 34 PB: 10

California lotto officials tweeted almost immediately after that a winning ticket was sold in the state.