Current:Home > InvestMichigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook. -NextFrontier Finance
Michigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook.
Oliver James Montgomery View
Date:2025-04-07 13:35:55
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! (277)
Related
- Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
- Powerball winning numbers for January 3 drawing; Jackpot resets to $20 million after big win
- Person killed by troopers in shootout on New York State Thruway
- Like it or not, Peanut Butter and Bacon Cheeseburger debuts this month at Sonic for limited time
- Jury finds man guilty of sending 17-year-old son to rob and kill rapper PnB Rock
- Beyoncé breaks the internet again: All 5 Destiny's Child members reunite in epic photo
- Zac Efron Reveals His First Kiss and Why It Was the Start of Something New
- US job openings fell slightly in November but remain high by historic standards
- Boy who wandered away from his 5th birthday party found dead in canal, police say
- Vigil held to honor slain Muslim boy as accused attacker appears in court in Illinois
Ranking
- The Daily Money: Disney+ wants your dollars
- Arizona rancher rejects plea deal in fatal shooting of migrant near the US-Mexico border; trial set
- Stock market today: Asian shares slip, echoing Wall Street’s weak start to 2024
- Washington, Michigan, SEC lead winners and losers from college football's bowl season
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- WWII-era practice bomb washed up on California beach after intense high surf
- A message from the plants: US is getting a lot warmer, new analysis says
- A look at killings of militant leaders believed targeted by Israel
Recommendation
Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
Next Republican debate will only feature Nikki Haley and Ron DeSantis
2 New York men claim $1 million lottery wins on same day
The Ultimatum’s Trey Brunson and Riah Nelson Welcome First Baby
Southern California rocked by series of earthquakes: Is a bigger one brewing?
Javelina bites Arizona woman, fights with her dogs, state wildlife officials say
Woman headed for girls trip struck, killed as she tries to get luggage off road
Amy Robach shares why she would 'never' go back to hosting daytime TV, talks divorce