Montreal

Quebecers head south for $1.5B Powerball jackpot

Quebecers are flocking to the United States this week after the largest prize in lottery history was announced.

Lottery prize is largest amount ever announced

Brigitte Gendron, a waitress at Marcel Diner & Truck Stop in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, bought lottery tickets for everyone around her. (CBC)

Quebecers are flocking to the United States this week after the largest prize in lottery history was announced.

The prize has now amounted to $1.5 Billion U.S.

Brigitte Gendron, a waitress at Marcel Diner & Truck Stop in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, bought tickets for everyone at the restaurant.

"Since yesterday a lot of people phoned me to get some tickets over there and I have a lot of clients do the same," said Gendron.

Canadians will still have to pay taxes on winnings if they claim the prize. (Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press)
"So yesterday I picked up about $300 and I bought some on the other side of the Champlain border."

The odds to win to the jackpot are one in 292 million, but Gendron says she's optimistic.

"When I go somewhere, I always win something. Always, always! So maybe I will win," she said. 

If Gendron or any other Canadian wins the historic jackpot, they should note that winners don't take home the whole chunk.

All winners must pay U.S. federal income taxes. Those with a U.S. Social Security or tax ID number pay 25 per cent off the top. For Canadians that figure increases to 28 per cent.

With files from Associated Press