Current:Home > MyMichigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook. -FutureFinance
Michigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook.
View
Date:2025-04-16 21:44:36
A Michigan woman was aimlessly scrolling through Facebook when she learned that she won $1 million on the Powerball.
Jennifer Vackaro, 50, of White Lake, about 60 miles east of Lansing, decided to buy a Powerball ticket at Andale Mexican Grill & Cantina on Carroll Lake Road in Commerce Township, according to a press release by the Michigan Lottery.
"My fiancé and I were at Andale, and he was playing Club Keno, so I decided to play Powerball," Vackaro told lottery officials. "Usually I play easy pick numbers, but since we were just hanging out having a drink, I decided to take the time to pick my own numbers."
Kentucky man says lottery win:Helped pull him out of debt 'for the first time in my life'
Little did Vackaro know that choosing her own numbers would make her a millionaire.
For the drawing on March 2, white balls were 3, 18, 27, 36 and 53. Those were the numbers Vackaro handpicked.
"The next morning, I was scrolling Facebook and saw a post about a winning Powerball ticket that was sold at Andale," Vackaro said. "The post had the winning numbers, and I recognized them right away. I scanned my ticket on the Lottery App and when $1 million came up on the screen with confetti, I couldn't stop shaking! I called my daughters and my fiancé to tell them the good news."
Vackaro plans to celebrate her Powerball win with family
After taking a trip to the Michigan Lottery Headquarters to claim her prize, Vackaro told lottery officials how she plans to spend the $1 million prize.
With the money, Vackaro plans to take her family on a trip and then save the rest.
Vackaro told lottery officials that knowing about her Powerball win has made an impact om her daily activities.
“I have been in a complete fog the last few days,” Vackaro said. “I haven’t been able to eat or sleep because I’ve been so nervous and excited!”
How to play the Powerball
In order to purchase a $2 Powerball ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store - and in a handful of states, you can purchase tickets online.
To play, you will need to pick six numbers in total to mark on your ticket. Five numbers will be white balls ranging from numbers 1 to 69. The Powerball is red and one number which is between 1 and 26.
If you want to increase your chances of winning, you can add a “Power Play” for $1 which increases the winnings for all non-jackpot prizes. This addition can multiply winnings by 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X.
Players can also ask a cashier for a "Quick Pick" where a cashier will give you a computer generated numbers on a printed Powerball ticket.
Drawings are held on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday nights. If there's no jackpot winner, the cash prize will increase by millions.
When is the next Powerball drawing?
The next Powerball drawing is on March 13. The estimated jackpot is worth $559 million. If there is a winner after Wednesday's drawing and they choose the cash option, they could take home $273.3 million, according to the lottery.
What are the odds of winning the Powerball?
The odds of winning a Powerball jackpot are one in 292.2 million, according to the lottery.
The overall odds of winning a Powerball prize are roughly one in 24.9.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.
veryGood! (477)
Related
- Moving abroad can be expensive: These 5 countries will 'pay' you to move there
- Archie, the man who played Cary Grant
- ‘A master of storytelling’ — Reaction to the death of pioneering TV figure Norman Lear
- 'Time' magazine names Taylor Swift its 2023 Person of the Year
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Italian prosecutors say no evidence of Russian secret service role in escape of suspect sought by US
- Special counsel previews trial roadmap in federal 2020 election case against Trump
- Survivors of domestic violence accuse military of purposeful cover-up
- Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
- Families of 3 killed in Jacksonville Dollar General shooting sue store, gunman's family
Ranking
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- Rush's Geddy Lee and Alex Lifeson on the band's next chapter
- Heavy fighting across Gaza halts most aid delivery, leaves civilians with few places to seek safety
- Iran says it sent a capsule with animals into orbit as it prepares for human missions
- This was the average Social Security benefit in 2004, and here's what it is now
- Shannen Doherty Reveals She Underwent Brain Surgery After Discovering Husband's Alleged 2-Year Affair
- Watch this lone goose tackle a busy New York street with the help of construction workers
- Pro-Israel Democrat to challenge US Rep. Jamaal Bowman in primary race next year
Recommendation
Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
'Periodical' filmmaker wants to talk about PMS, menopause and the tampon tax
Attacks in 2 Texas cities leave 6 dead, 2 officers wounded; suspect in custody
52 sea turtles experiencing ‘cold stun’ in New England flown to rehab in Florida
Buckingham Palace staff under investigation for 'bar brawl'
40+ Gifts for Mom That Will Guarantee You the Favorite Child Award
US finds both sides in Sudan conflict have committed atrocities in Darfur
A narrowing Republican presidential field will debate with just six weeks before the Iowa caucuses