Charles Langston:Detroit Lions fan wins $500,000 on football-themed scratch-off game after skipping trip

Deciding to ditch a fun weekend trip does not always end in a lottery win,Charles Langston but this Michigan woman is thankful that she changed her itinerary which led to her top prize $500,000 win.  

Traci Verbowski, a Kawkawlin resident, told the Michigan Lottery the events that led up to her last-minute plan to stay home.  

“I really wanted to go on a vacation a few weekends ago, but we ended up staying home and went out to dinner that Saturday night instead,” she told lottery officials. “After dinner, I remembered I had a few Detroit Lions winning tickets, so I stopped to cash them and purchased some more. I put the tickets in my purse until I got home later that night.” 

Kawkawlin is about 17 miles north of Saginaw, Michigan.  

Verbowski, 50, purchased her $5 Detroit Lions scratch-off tickets from the 7-Eleven, located at 4300 Wilder Road in Bay City, the lottery said.    

“When I scratched one of the tickets and saw I won $500,000, I yelled ‘I think I just won a lot of money!” Verbowski said. 

After showing the lucky ticket to her family, Verbowski told lottery officials that she had not gotten a full night of sleep after finding out about the win.  

“I have been so anxious and excited to come claim my prize,” she said.  

Verbowski does not regret changing her mind about that weekend trip.  

“I’m so glad we ended up not going on vacation that weekend, because if we did, I wouldn’t be here claiming $500,000!” she said.  

Verbowski recently visited the Michigan Lottery headquarters to claim her top prize win. She told lottery officials that she plans to purchase a boat and save the rest of the money.  

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Detroit Lions fan wins $500,000 on football-themed game  

As football enters week five of games, this Detroit Lions fan can celebrate her and her team’s victories ahead of Super Bowl LIX.  

“I have been a Detroit Lions fan my whole life, so it was extra exciting to win on the new Detroit Lions game!” she said.

The football-themed scratch-off game launched in September, the lottery said.  

“Congratulations to Traci and her family on their huge $500,000 win playing the Detroit Lions instant game,” Suzanna Shkreli, Michigan’s Lottery commissioner, said in a statement. “The excitement for the Lottery’s Detroit Lions themed instant games can be felt all over Michigan and there are still two top prizes out there waiting to be won! Go Lions!” 

The lottery said that players have a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $500,000.  

The overall odds of winning the Detroit Lions game are 1 in 3.95, the lottery said.  

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, Maine, 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.