MI Woman Wins $500K On Detroit Lions Scratch-Off Ticket

MICHIGAN — A Bay County woman, who passed on a vacation to stay home ended up winning $500,000 on a Detroit Lions scratch-off ticket, according to Michigan Lottery officials.

Traci Verbowski, 50, of Kawkawlin, bought her winning ticket at the 7-Eleven, located at 4300 Wilder Road in Bay City, according to lottery officials.

Kawkawlin is about 15 miles north of Saginaw.

Verbowski told lottery officials that she really wanted to go on a vacation a few weekends ago, but ended up staying home and went out to dinner that Saturday night instead.

"After dinner, I remembered I had a few Detroit Lions winning tickets, so I stopped to cash them and purchased some more," Verbowski told lottery officials. "I put the tickets in my purse until I got home later that night."

When she scratched one of the tickets, she yelled: "I think I just won a lot of money!"

"I showed my family the ticket and no one could believe what they were seeing," Verbowski told lottery officials. "I haven’t slept a full night since because I have been so anxious and excited to come claim my prize."

Verbowski added that she has been a Detroit Lions fan her whole life, so winning the prize on the new Lions ticket was extra special to her, according to lottery officials.

"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 added.

With her winnings, she plans to buy a boat and then save the rest, according to lottery officials.

Players have won more than $5 million playing the Detroit Lions instant game, which launched in September, according to lottery officials.

Each $5 ticket offers players a chance to win prizes ranging from $5 up to $500,000.