As Thursday and a record breaking Powerball jackpot amount fast approaches, both land based and online lotto retailers in Australia are advising customers to purchase their tickets early for what is expected to be unprecedented interest in the Powerball game.

At least $80 Million is up for grabs in the draw, but a Tattersalls spokeswoman has suggested that the final Powerball jackpot figure may rise even higher. The spokeswoman said that "It all depends on player participation but it could go beyond $80 million".

The Powerball jackpot on Thursday is already at record levels, being the highest Powerball jackpot amount ever offered in Australia and also the second highest jackpot of any lottery game ever offered in Australia.

Only a few weeks ago, Australia was in the grip of lotto fever when the Oz Lotto game, played on Tuesdays, jackpotted to a staggering $90 Million. In a fantastic turn of events, the Jackpot then rose to over $105 Million due to player participation with only minutes left before the draw.

Retailers across the country were inundated with punters all dreaming of how to spend their millions and this is already becoming the case with the impending Powerball draw which is still 3 days away.

The previous record set for a Powerball jackpot was in 2008 when 4 work mates shared in over $58 Million.

There is a total of over $115 Million on offer this week from all lottery games in Australia.