Current:Home > InvestMichigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook. -Streamline Finance
Michigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook.
View
Date:2025-04-24 21:25:38
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! (6)
Related
- What do we know about the mysterious drones reported flying over New Jersey?
- Woman sentenced in straw purchase of gun used to kill Illinois officer and wound another
- Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes Detail Fight That Made Them Seek Relationship Counseling
- Migrant caravan in southern Mexico marks Christmas Day by trudging onward
- NCAA hits former Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh with suspension, show-cause for recruiting violations
- Argentina’s new president lays off 5,000 government employees hired in 2023, before he took office
- These 5 charts show how life got pricier but also cheaper in 2023
- A lawsuit challenging Alabama’s transgender care ban for minors will move forward, judge says
- 'Survivor' 47 finale, part one recap: 2 players were sent home. Who's left in the game?
- A top Brazilian criminal leader is isolated in prison after he negotiated his own arrest
Ranking
- Tropical rains flood homes in an inland Georgia neighborhood for the second time since 2016
- Next year will be the best year to buy a new car since 2019, economist says
- Worried about taxes? It's not too late to cut what you owe the government.
- Indiana mom Rebekah Hubley fights to keep her adopted, disabled son Jonas from being deported
- Kourtney Kardashian Cradles 9-Month-Old Son Rocky in New Photo
- Derek Hough, Hayley Erbert celebrate 'precious gift of life': How the stars are celebrating Christmas
- Mahomes, Purdy, Prescott: Who are the best QBs of the season? Ranking the top 10 before Week 17
- The death toll in a Romania guesthouse blaze rises to 7. The search for missing persons is ongoing
Recommendation
JoJo Siwa reflects on Candace Cameron Bure feud: 'If I saw her, I would not say hi'
Authorities identify remains found by hikers 47 years ago near the Arizona-Nevada border
'I just wasn't ready to let her go': Michigan woman graduates carrying 10-day-old baby
Health workers struggle to prevent an infectious disease 'disaster in waiting' in Gaza
RFK Jr. grilled again about moving to California while listing New York address on ballot petition
Pregnant Texas teen Savanah Nicole Soto and boyfriend found dead, family says
Chiefs coach Andy Reid defuses Travis Kelce outburst, chalks it up to competitive spirit
Almcoin Trading Exchange: The Debate Over Whether Cryptocurrency is a Commodity or a Security?