FLORIDA,None — The Powerball jackpot is up to $203 million, and a lot of people have been buying tickets hoping to win big. However, a new website launched this week will buy your tickets for you with your credit card.
The company has been operating in California for about a year. The company told WFTV it believes it's legal because it's not necessarily selling tickets, it is buying tickets for you from an authorized seller and holding them.
Brenda Rodriguez said with a jackpot that large she couldn't stay away from the store.
But now she's learning that may no longer be the only option.
"This is catching the lottery up with the modern times," Rodriguez said.
James Morel launched his website Lottogopher.com, which allows Florida residents to log on and buy Powerball tickets with just a few clicks and a credit card.
"You never have to go to the store. You never miss a drawing," Morel said.
Morel makes money by charging a subscriber fee of about $10 a month if you pay for an entire year. He said month to month costs about $20.
The buyer picks the numbers, pays the same price of $1 for each ticket and then Morel's company buys the ticket and sends the buyer any winnings.
Some people do not like it.
"When you buy with credit, it might give you the impression it's OK to buy a larger number of tickets than you normally would," said Brian Kongsvik with the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling.
Kongsvik said that's why buying tickets on credit has never been allowed by lottery retailers.
"You can buy anything with a credit card except lottery tickets," Kongsvik said.
"So, you don't think you're going to be ruining people's lives by doing this?" WFTV reporter Jeff Deal asked Morel.
"I don't think we're going to ruin lives," Morel said.
Once a buyer sets it up, it lists their numbers on their account so they can keep track.
A buyer may never actually see their ticket, unless they are a big winner.