Another Maritime community is in the grip of a Chase the Ace craze.

The jackpot in the border town of St. Stephen has hit more than $300,000, and still climbing. All funds will go towards the Fundy Region Transition House, a local shelter for women and women with children who have or are experiencing abuse.

"We're so excited. We never dreamt that we could finally be in the black, and not have to worry for a while,” says Lynn Matheson of the Fundy Region Transition House.

Chase the Ace has become a social phenomenon in communities all over the Maritimes. Thousands of people try their luck and compete for jackpots that have topped $1 million, and in some cases, approached the $2 million mark.

"Sure it would be nice. Go on a little trip, go to a nice warm place,” says ticket buyer Bill Bowman. “But this is good. Good for the town, good for the people."

Chase the Ace has become a social event in communities surrounding St. Stephen, as well.

"After the prize got up above $100,000, you start seeing traffic coming from out of town,” says St. Stephen Mayor Allan MacEachern. “Once it got up to $200,000, you started seeing busses coming in here."

Mayor MacEachern says the event fills the restaurants and bars all over town, and the huge civic centre, where they're waiting for a winner.

"Even when they aren't lucky enough to choose the ace, don't forget they still get 20 per cent of the take that night, which is still a lot of money. Last time, it was $4,000."

Staff at the transition home say Chase the Ace means the doors will stay open.

"Yeah, this is a game, but when the game is all done, that shelter will still be there providing services and helping people, and that's what the most important thing is," says Barb Tucker of the Garcelon Civic Centre.  

With only two cards left, the jackpot goes either Wednesday night or next week.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Mike Cameron.