Michigan woman wins $100,000 Powerball prize after store mix-up

The winner, Barbara Lambert of Saint Helen in Roscommon County, matched four white balls and the Powerball — 02, 09, 44, 53, 59, PB: 08 — in the July 20 drawing to win a $50,000 prize. Because she added the Power Play option, her winnings were doubled to $100,000.

“I play Powerball all the time and have a special set of numbers I usually use,” said Lambert. “I bought my Powerball ticket as normal, and once I got in my car, I realized there must have been a miscommunication because the Power Play wasn’t added to my ticket. I went back into the store to get another ticket with the Power Play and told the cashier to give me a few easy pick numbers this time.”

The 68-year-old purchased the winning ticket at the Shell gas station, located at 2007 N. M-76 in St. Helen, about 20 miles east of Houghton Lake.

“The next day, I went back to the same store and scanned my ticket. When a message came up to file a claim, I asked the cashier what it meant, thinking maybe I won a few thousand dollars. The worker looked at me and said: ‘It’s you!’ I was confused until she said they had just got word a few hours ago that the store had sold a $100,000 winning Powerball ticket. I started shaking and my eyes filled with tears!”

After claiming her prize at Michigan Lottery headquarters, Lambert said she plans to put the money toward home improvements and investments.

“I’m so thankful the Power Play wasn’t added to my first ticket and that I went back in for another one, otherwise I wouldn’t be here claiming $100,000! I just retired last week, so this prize couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Powerball tickets cost $2 per play. Players select five numbers from 1 through 69 and one red Powerball from 1 through 26. Players may also use a Quick Pick to have their numbers selected randomly.

For an additional $1, players can add Power Play, which multiplies eligible non-jackpot prizes by up to 10 times, depending on the multiplier selected for the drawing. With three drawings a week on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

Michigan offers a 24-hour, toll-free problem gambling helpline at 1-800-270-7117. More resources are available at Michigan.gov/mgcb. 

The National Council on Problem Gambling operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network, which can be reached at 1-800-GAMBLER. 

The network is a single national access point to local resources for people seeking help for a gambling problem. The network has 28 contact centers that provide resources and referrals for all 50 states and U.S. territories. Help is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential.
Help is also available via an online peer support forum at GetEvive.com/gamtalk.