Someone could get a lot richer after tonight, and many New Yorkers are already dreaming big.
Even those who described themselves as non-gamblers were buying tickets Saturday in anticipation of the $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot — the largest in US history.
Franshara Coates, a social worker living in Queens, wants to buy a ranch house if she wins the cash, complete with a “zen room for yoga” and a fully equipped chef’s kitchen for her husband, a professional cook.
She bought $20 worth of tickets in Queens and spent another $20 in Harlem where she does volunteer work Saturdays.
“I spread it out,” she told The Post. “If I don’t get it in one place, I will get it in another place. I might spend $2 here and there but with this I spent more.”
Mario Fabrino, who described himself as a “non-gambler,” spent a total of $15 on tickets, the most he’s ever spent on a lottery, he said.
“I have a few places on my bucket list that I want to go to,” said Fabrino, 54. “I would go to Iceland, Greenland, Australia, Africa. I’ve only been to England twice. I would be able to sleep peacefully, never having to work again or worry about a bill.”
In Flatbush, retired MTA worker Emilio Dennis, 50, said he would buy property in Key West or San Diego if he hits the jackpot.
“I would help people if I won a billion dollars,” he said, adding that he missed the $500 million jackpot by one number in a draw in 2004. “I would donate money to hospitals that help the elderly and infants with diseases.”
Ronn Redd, 65, said he wouldn’t let the cash control him if he wins.
“I am going to stay in my lane — not 25 cars but about four — a Bentley, a Rolls Royce, a Range Rover and a Mercedes Benz — fully loaded,” said the retired hotel worker. “I would take annual payments but I know my wife would want a lump sum so we could have to talk about that.”
Numbers for the $1.6 billion Powerball drawing — will be drawn Saturday night at 10:59 p.m.
One Queens merchant expected a rush of buyers as the drawing nears later Saturday.
“I had a lot of people come in Wednesday but I am expecting more later today for the last day,” said Ahmed Eli, 38, who runs Ridgewood Finest Deli in Ridgewood.
Players have a 1 in 292 million chance of winning the jackpot. The winning numbers will be announced at 11 pm EST.
Only two other lotto jackpots have ever climbed higher than $1.5 billion in the U.S., including a $1.537 billion Mega Millions prize in 2018 and a $1.586 billion Powerball prize in 2016.
Eli admitted that he bought his own ticket for the draw.
“I did play one just to try,” he told The Post. “Why not?”
