Current:Home > MarketsMichigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook. -WealthPro Academy
Michigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook.
View
Date:2025-04-16 21:31:46
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! (38)
Related
- Family of explorer who died in the Titan sub implosion seeks $50M-plus in wrongful death lawsuit
- Military service academies see drop in reported sexual assaults after alarming surge
- Trump invites nearly all federal workers to quit now, get paid through September
- Why members of two of EPA's influential science advisory committees were let go
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- McKinsey to pay $650 million after advising opioid maker on how to 'turbocharge' sales
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- The Super Bowl could end in a 'three
- Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15
- EU countries double down on a halt to Syrian asylum claims but will not yet send people back
Ranking
- Realtor group picks top 10 housing hot spots for 2025: Did your city make the list?
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- A South Texas lawmaker’s 15
- Jamie Foxx reps say actor was hit in face by a glass at birthday dinner, needed stitches
- FBI: California woman brought sword, whip and other weapons into Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- Intellectuals vs. The Internet
Recommendation
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
Charges tied to China weigh on GM in Q4, but profit and revenue top expectations
IRS recovers $4.7 billion in back taxes and braces for cuts with Trump and GOP in power
Trump issues order to ban transgender troops from serving openly in the military
Working Well: When holidays present rude customers, taking breaks and the high road preserve peace
'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
Highlights from Trump’s interview with Time magazine
Trump's 'stop