Michigan woman wins $1M Mega Millions prize in state lottery

A Bay City woman is planning to become a homeowner after winning a $1 million Mega Millions prize, the Michigan Lottery announced Monday.

Anna Marquez, 31, matched the five white balls in the March 5 drawing to win the big prize with the numbers 02-49-50-61-70, lottery officials said in a news release.

She bought her winning ticket online at MichiganLottery.com.

“I play Mega Millions here and there, usually when the jackpot starts getting large," Marquez said in the release. "I logged in the day after the drawing and was shocked when I saw a big amount pending in my account! Honestly, I thought it was scam at first because you just don’t think this type of thing will happen to you. I checked my email and saw one from the Lottery with information on claiming a prize, so that’s when I knew it was real!"

Marquez visited the Michigan Lottery headquarters recently to claim her prize. With her winnings, she plans to buy a house, pay bills, and then save the remainder, according to the release.

Mega Millions drawings take place each Tuesday and Friday evening. Each Mega Millions play is $2.

For an additional $1 per play, players can add a “Megaplier” that can multiply non-jackpot prizes by up to five times. Mega Millions tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Meanwhile, a $1 million Powerball ticket was purchased Saturday at Paris Spirits and Wine in Kentwood, southeast of Grand Rapids, according to the state lottery website.

The next drawing is set for Monday at 11 p.m. The jackpot has reached $1 billion, with a cash option of $483.8 million, officials said on the lottery website.

It is slated to be the 39th drawing since the jackpot was last won on New Year's Day. The ticket for the $842.2 million jackpot was sold at the Food Castle of Grand Blanc.

The prize has yet to be claimed, state officials said Monday.

“I’m hopeful a player in Michigan can make it two Powerball jackpot wins in a row for Michiganders tonight," Lottery Commissioner Suzanna Shkreli said in a statement. “Jackpots like this are exciting for players and that translates into more sales for Lottery retailers who earn a commission on every ticket they sell.”

mjohnson@detroitnews.com

@_myeshajohnson