Computer glitch causes Powerball headaches

ATLANTA — Channel 2 Action News is monitoring a computer glitch that's caused frustrations among lottery retailers and buyers in anticipation of Wednesday's record $425 million Powerball jackpot.

As of 8 p.m. Monday, the lottery corporation told Channel 2's Ashley Swann that the situation was much improved.

Retailers said the issues have made it hard to keep up with the growing demand for tickets over the last two days.

"It was terrible all day," said Andy Virani, who manages the Texaco at Peachtree Street and Collier Road in Buckhead. "The same thing happened yesterday, too (A) minute or two minutes to print the ticket. People play for $50. It took a long, long time for them to wait."

The lottery corporation told Swann a software upgrade combined with the growing frenzy for Powerball tickets created a bottleneck that froze some machines for parts of a second day.

"It's ridiculous," said Haile Tirunah, who manages a Mableton Shell in Cobb County. "When you have a line of people, you just get nervous."

As demand eased into the night, most all of the retailers Swann visited said the situation did improve.

"It's working better now," reported Virani around 8:30 p.m.

This was good news for players Swann met, who at least lucked out at entering the game.

"I came at a good time. I got mine right away," said Kim Jackson. "I got my dollar and a dream."

"Hopefully that won't happen again," said Brandy Moss. "I'll probably buy three again and I'll wait 15 minute if I have to."

The machine issues don't seem to have slowed sales. The lottery corporation told Swann at last count, Powerball sales in Georgia are at $1.6 million.

WSBTV