Since the overall jackpot for the Powerball lottery has reached a record high $1.5 billion — and continues to grow — the winnings have persuaded people of all demographics to take a chance and buy a ticket.

As the jackpot increased, so did the business of The World Delta and the Chevron gas station in Delta, La.

Tommy Cantin, owner of The World Delta, said he’s seen business increase “10 fold,” which has made the job a bit more difficult. Although Cantin said the volume of customers does make the day flow easier.

“Everybody’s wore out,” Cantin said.

Kimberly Chopin, director of communications for the Louisiana Lottery Corp. who also has a hand over the Powerball in Louisiana, said the odds of winning the jackpot for any individual ticket aren’t dependent on the size of the lottery.

However, Chopin added because of the number of tickets being purchase, it’s estimated there will be 80 percent coverage of all possible number combination in Wednesday’s draw.

Allen Kitchens, part owner of the Chevron gas station off I-20 at exit 184 in Delta, said between 5,000 and 7,000 people a day have visited his store to purchase Powerball lottery tickets for the historic draw.

Kitchens has traffic directors set up in the parking lot to keep the area free of buildup and to get customers in and out as quickly as possible.

His store begins selling tickets at 6 a.m. but on Monday he said customers started lining up at 3 a.m. and he knew it was going to be another long day.

“They were lined up all the way out with a two-hour wait,” Kitchens said. “We stay busy to about 10 o’clock even though we sell until 11:45 p.m.”

Employees operating the lottery machines work double shifts to accommodate the volume of people.

Kitchens said handling the traffic has been a smooth experience and is used to the lottery players flocking to his store when the Powerball or the MegaMillion pot becomes lucrative. In 2011, he dealt with a similar crowd vying to win a $600 million lottery, but this is the biggest crowd he’s handled. First-time users can slow up operations with their inexperience in filling out the form, he said.

Kitchens has set up a quick-pick trailer adjacent to the trucker gas pumps for customers looking to select random numbers without standing in line.

“We preprint quick picks, five for $10 to try and keep the traffic flowing. That seems to work a lot,” Kitchens said. “It probably takes up half the customers, this seems to work out the best.”

Customers continue to purchase alcohol and Subway sandwiches from the surrounding services on the property at a regular rate, in addition to purchasing lottery tickets.

To keep business from getting out of control, Kitchens has a number of security officials on the property.

“The Delta marshals help us,” Kitchens said. “The local and Madison Parish [police] help as well.”