Current:Home > ScamsMichigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook. -ProfitSphere Academy
Michigan woman’s handpicked numbers win $1M on Powerball. She found out on Facebook.
SignalHub Quantitative Think Tank Center View
Date:2025-04-07 07:15:02
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! (98)
Related
- Nearly half of US teens are online ‘constantly,’ Pew report finds
- Kate Middleton Takes Style Note From Princess Diana With Bold Red Look
- Below Deck's Captain Lee Rosbach Finally Returns After Leaving Season 10 for Health Issues
- Some advice from filmmaker Cheryl Dunye: 'Keep putting yourself out where you belong'
- Former Danish minister for Greenland discusses Trump's push to acquire island
- Grab Some Water, Michael B. Jordan's Steamy Underwear Ad Will Make You Thirsty
- The Dutch are returning looted artifacts to Indonesia and Sri Lanka. Does it matter?
- Amazing inscription found on 1,600-year-old gold treasure unearthed in Denmark
- NFL Week 15 picks straight up and against spread: Bills, Lions put No. 1 seed hopes on line
- Tropical cyclone Freddy to become the longest-lasting tropical cyclone on record as it continues its dangerous journey across Southeast Africa countries
Ranking
- Tom Holland's New Venture Revealed
- North Korea touts nuclear war deterrence with submarine cruise missile test amid U.S.-South Korea drills
- Ukraine invites Ron DeSantis to visit after Florida governor calls war a territorial dispute
- Today Only, You Can Score This Bestselling $378 Coach Bag for $95
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- This Is How Bachelor Zach Shallcross Reminded Us of His Total Nickelback Obsession
- Fans flock to theaters for the 'Barbenheimer' double feature
- Dive in: 'Do Tell' and 'The Stolen Coast' are perfect summer escapes
Recommendation
Rylee Arnold Shares a Long
Larsa Pippen Has the Best Response When Asked About 16-Year Age Difference With Boyfriend Marcus Jordan
It's going to be a weird year at the Emmys: Here are our predictions
Seth Rogen and Rose Byrne make great pals in 'Platonic'
Sam Taylor
Ukraine war crimes cases to open as International Criminal Court seeks 1st arrest warrants since Russia's invasion
GOP senators push back on Ron DeSantis over Ukraine
Democrats come around on TikTok ban, reflecting willingness to challenge China