Lotto outlets in Rotorua have had to add extra staff to deal with the number of people wanting a share of the record $47 million that was up for grabs this week.
Last night's Big Wednesday draw of $20 million and Powerball's jackpot of $27 million was the largest combined prize pool since Lotto started in 1987.
Owhata resident Allan Blazey said he usually only entered the Saturday draw but last night's jackpot enticed him to break with routine.
"I've probably spent about $3000 over the years I've been playing, since it first started, and I haven't really won anything," Mr Blazey said.
"I buy tickets for Saturday every fortnight but I thought I would buy a Big Wednesday ticket to try our luck. We don't really take it seriously, it's not a big deal. If I do win, I would share it among the family."
Paper Plus Rotorua owner-manager Kirsty Evans said they had seen a "definite jump" in sales over the past 5-6 weeks as the jackpot accumulated.
"Over the last few Saturdays, we've had to increase staff as the Lotto machine runs hot from 8.30am through to 7pm, when it automatically shuts off," she said. "There's been quite a few new Lotto players, as they don't know what they are buying but they are wanting to be in the draw."
Lucky Lotto Shop manager Maree Callaway said that over the past few weeks there would quite often be a line of customers outside waiting to buy their tickets. "People tend to buy on the day and a lot leave it to the very last minute," she said.
"But we like it when it's busy, when you have a lot of people in the store it creates a bit of a hype and everyone is a bit excited that we could be selling them their dream."
New Zealand Lotteries reported sales for Big Wednesday and Lotto in the Bay of Plenty last week increased by more than 30 per cent on last month.