A machine prints Powerball lottery tickets at a convenience store in Washington, DC, January 7, 2016. Lottery officials predict Saturday's jackpot will reach $700 million, the largest in history. AFP PHOTO / SAUL LOEB / AFP / SAUL LOEB (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images)
Jamila McCaskill just wanted a break from her “tough day.” So to relax, she started playing the lottery online and turned that frown upside down when she won $100,000.
According to local outlet Centre Daily Times, McCaskill recently pocketed $71,750 of her Michigan Lottery prize after taxes. She plans to use the funds to pay off her home and other bills.
A Feb. 1 news release by Michigan Lottery says Jamila won the prize while playing on their phone app. Jamila says she logged in to play the Daily Spin to Win game when another caught her attention–and later filled her wallet.
“I was having a tough day and took a break to relax,” Jamila said. Adding, “As I was scrolling through the different games, Diamond Payout caught my eye, so I started playing. On only my second spin, the screen lit up, and I knew I had won a prize.”
Jamila hasn’t offered details on what was causing her ‘tough day,’ but the winnings seem to have alleviated her in some form.
“When I saw the prize amount of $100,000, I couldn’t believe it. This is by far the largest prize I have ever won, and it feels amazing.”
According to Michigan Lottery’s press release, Jamila is just one of over 1 million players registered to play their online games. The platform launched in 2014. It offers more than 175 games and allows plays from five cents to $20.
Participants also have the opportunity to play some of the lottery’s most-known games, such as Powerball, Mega Millions, Lucky for Life, Lotto 47, and Fantasy 5.
Jamila isn’t the only recent big winner in Michigan. Another woman, Renae Shelby of Flint, won $300,000. But, unlike Jamila, Renae purchased her winning ticket for the Emerald Green Wild Time instant game at a market, per a Jan. 2 press release.
Shelby said:
“I started scratching the tickets when I got in my car, and when I saw I’d won $300,000, I was in shock! I called my son right away, and he thought he was going to have to call 911 because I felt like I couldn’t breath and could barely get my words out to tell him I’d won $300,000. It was so exciting!”
