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.

Theprize has now amounted to$1.5Billion U.S.

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BrigitteGendron, 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.

"So yesterday I picked up about $300 and I bought some on theother side of the Champlain border."

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

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

IfGendron or any otherCanadian wins the historic jackpot, theyshould notethat winners don't take home the whole chunk.

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