Michigan woman says a cashier mistake led to her $100,000 Powerball prize

Barbara Lambert, 68, of St. Helen won $100,000 in the July 20 Powerball drawing on a ticket she only bought because the first one was a mistake.

"I bought my Powerball ticket as usual, 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," Lambert said. "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."

That second ticket, bought at the Shell station at 2007 North M 76 in St. Helen, about 20 miles east of Houghton Lake, matched four white balls and the Powerball: 2, 9, 44, 53, 59, with a Powerball of 8. That combination pays $50,000, and the 2X Power Play multiplier drawn that night doubled it to $100,000.

She found out the next day, back at the same store. "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 cashier looked at me and said: 'It's you!' I started shaking and my eyes filled with tears!"

"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."

Lambert plans to put the money toward home improvements and investing. Michigan scratch-off rankings and current games are on our Michigan page.

Sources

Michigan Lottery Connect: Roscommon County woman wins $100,000 Powerball prize

WDIV ClickOnDetroit: Miscommunication leads Northern Michigan woman to win $100,000 lottery prize