Current:Home > FinanceMichigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook. -MarketLink
Michigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook.
View
Date:2025-04-12 23:03:22
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! (7182)
Related
- Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
- Federal government postpones sale of floating offshore wind leases along Oregon coast
- Judge tosses lawsuit against congressman over posts about man not involved in Chiefs’ rally shooting
- The Chilling True Story Behind Into the Fire: Murder, Buried Secrets and a Mother's Hunch
- Could Bill Belichick, Robert Kraft reunite? Maybe in Pro Football Hall of Fame's 2026 class
- George Clooney and Amal Clooney Reveal What Their Kids Think of Their Fame
- Former 'Survivor' player, Louisiana headmaster convicted of taping students' mouths shut
- Michael Andretti hands over control of race team to business partner. Formula 1 plans in limbo
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- Tropical Weather Latest: Millions still without power from Helene as flooding continues
Ranking
- Rams vs. 49ers highlights: LA wins rainy defensive struggle in key divisional game
- In 'Defectors,' journalist Paola Ramos explores the effects of Trumpism on the Latino vote
- Jenna Dewan Shares Cheeky Message After Finalizing Channing Tatum Divorce
- Opinion: Learning signs of mental health distress may help your young athlete
- IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
- Michael Andretti hands over control of race team to business partner. Formula 1 plans in limbo
- As political scandal grips NYC, a fictional press conference puzzles some New Yorkers
- Large police presence at funeral for Massachusetts recruit who died during training exercise
Recommendation
Paige Bueckers vs. Hannah Hidalgo highlights women's basketball games to watch
Why Adam Devine Is Convinced Wife Chloe Bridges Likes Him More Now That He's a Dad
Love is Blind's Marshall Glaze and Fiancée Chay Barnes Break Up Less Than One Year After Engagement
Jury awards $300 million to women who alleged sex abuse by doctor at a Virginia children’s hospital
North Carolina trustees approve Bill Belichick’s deal ahead of introductory news conference
Sean Diddy Combs Accused of Rape and Impregnating a Woman in New Lawsuit
Indicted New York City mayor adopts familiar defense: He was targeted for his politics
Indianapolis man sentenced to 189 years for killing 3 young men found along a path