The Pennsylvania Lottery systems upgrade has slapped a hiatus on ticket sales for both Mega Millions and Powerball this Tuesday, leaving many would-be millionaires in a lurch. In what they're calling a "modernization" effort, the lottery’s systems are going dark today with a pivotal timing as the Mega Millions jackpot soars to an estimated $875 million—an irresistible draw for those feeling lucky, as reported by NBC Philadelphia. It's not just about the big fish games, though; smaller ponds like Treasure Hunt and Cash 5 are also going belly-up—for a day, anyway.

Amidst the systems shuffle, it's not just ticket purchasing that's hitting a snag. Winnings from the scratch-off tickets, while still purchasable for all you scratchers out there with cash in hand, are roped off with yellow tape—you can't claim the prizes just yet. The Philadelphia Voice explains that prize claims will see a slowdown, estimating a processing time of a sluggish eight to twelve weeks. Hopefuls who snagged a winning scratcher should sign their tickets and engage in a little patience, according to state lottery officials. If the upgrade goes according to plan, normalcy should resume by early April.

But let's not breeze past the real pressure point here: Tuesday's Mega Millions draw. That estimated $875 million is no chump change, and the timing of the system upgrade means a buying blackout on tickets when everyone wants a piece of that nearly billion-dollar pie. With the Powerball's draw hot on the heels at an estimated $687 million, the stakes are sky-high just as the lights go out. A statement on palottery.com, cited by The Philly Voice, urged eager betters to grab their tickets early, lest they miss out.

For the uninitiated, the nitty-gritty of the upgrade reaches beyond just draw games. Fast Play and the entire suite of Draw Game tickets won't be on the market, online or at retail locations. Players will find themselves unable to produce or cash in vouchers, and the online results may even play hide and seek until the tech team says "system go," as noted by PhillyBurbs. Brace for impact, lottery enthusiasts, this temporary tech turbulence doesn't play favorites and is inescapable, crossing all game lines.

While officials encourage players to stock up on their favorite lottery tickets well in advance of the big day, some ruffled feathers are to be expected. Winners looking to cash in will need to tuck their victorious slips into the back of their wallets until the lottery's proverbial 'We'll Be Back Soon' sign flips to 'Open for Business'. Until then, the dedicated webpage for updates will have to tide over those with dreams of grandeur. And for those who crave the thrill of the scratch, rest assured, this won’t affect your ability to scrape away at those silver panels—at least until it's time to cash in.