Current:Home > InvestMichigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook. -WealthSync Hub
Michigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook.
View
Date:2025-04-16 13:24:13
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! (578)
Related
- Global Warming Set the Stage for Los Angeles Fires
- Florida flamingos spotted in unusual places after Idalia: 'Where are (they) going?'
- Taylor Swift's Eras Tour concert film opening same day as latest Exorcist movie
- Typhoon Saola makes landfall in southern China after nearly 900,000 people moved to safety
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Hollywood labor disputes in 'crunch time' amid ongoing strikes, reporter says
- New Jersey gas tax to increase by about a penny per gallon starting Oct. 1
- Iowa State starting lineman Jake Remsburg suspended 6 games by the NCAA for gambling
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Former Italian premier claims French missile downed passenger jet in 1980, presses Paris for truth
Ranking
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
- Watch Virginia eaglet that fell 90 feet from nest get released back into wild
- NYPD to use drones to monitor backyard parties this weekend, spurring privacy concerns
- 'Do you believe now?' Deion Sanders calls out doubters after Colorado stuns No. 16 TCU
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Blink-182 announces Travis Barker's return home due to urgent family matter, postpones European tour
- 10 years and 1,000 miles later, Bob the cat is finally on his way back home
- Whatever happened to the Ukrainian refugees who found a haven in Brazil?
Recommendation
EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Burning Man is filled with wild art, sights and nudity. Some people bring their kids.
At risk from rising seas, Norfolk, Virginia, plans massive, controversial floodwall
Restaurants open Labor Day 2023: See Starbucks, McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, Taco Bell hours
The White House is cracking down on overdraft fees
FBI releases age-processed photos of Leo Burt, Wisconsin campus bomber wanted for 53 years
Businessman Mohamed Al-Fayed, Father of Princess Diana's Partner Dodi Fayed, Dead at 94
IRS whistleblower's attorney raises new questions about Justice Dept's claims of independence in Hunter Biden investigation, which Justice Dept disputes