( CNN ) -- The next time Minnesota drivers looking to play the Powerball lottery pay at the pump , the pump might pay them back . The Minnesota State Lottery has launched a pilot program to allow customers to purchase lottery tickets while they fill up their cars . This week 's winning tickets for the $ 587.5 million Powerball jackpot were purchased at convenience stores , but Ed Van Petten , director of the Minnesota State Lottery , said sales of lottery tickets at gas pumps have been brisk . It works like this : Customers who use debit cards to fill up can enter their mobile phone numbers when they buy a lottery ticket at the pump . Their lottery numbers are then sent to their phone via text message , and the pump prints out a receipt . After the drawing , drivers get a text message telling them whether they won . Drivers can track their playing history and choose to have winnings of $ 599 or less paid directly to their accounts . Credit cards are not permitted . The program was developed by Linq3 , a New York-based software developer . Van Petten said developers approached several states before partnering with Minnesota Lottery officials . The same lottery software is also available at various ATMs in sports bars and even at a state driver 's license office and is part of the same Minnesota pilot program . Van Petten said South Africa is the only other place he knew of that allows lottery purchases through ATMs . Minnesota lottery officials have set a weekly purchase limit of $ 50 through gas pumps and ATM machines to encourage responsible gaming , Van Petten said . `` We 're the only ones in the world who are doing this , '' Van Petten told CNN . The prize for the Powerball lottery -- held in 42 states , the U.S. Virgin Islands and the District of Columbia -- swelled to the largest jackpot in Powerball history after the jackpot rolled over 16 times without a winner . Two winning tickets matched all the numbers in Wednesday night 's drawing . On Friday , a Missouri family collected its half of the prize money . Lottery officials have not yet confirmed the identity of the other winner , who bought a ticket in Arizona . Meet the Powerball winners . He sold a winning Ticket .
Minnesota Lottery allows drivers to purchase tickets at the gas pump . After purchase , lottery numbers are texted to players ' cell phones . Lottery officials impose $ 50-a-week limit to discourage overspending .