RALEIGH – Andrew Noga, a shoe salesman from Lexington, plans to use the $150,000 prize he won in the Caesars game to buy a car and go back to school.

“This prize gives me a new start,” Noga said. “I don’t know what I’m going to study, but I’m going to go back to school. I’m going to make some wise decisions with this money.”

He learned of his big win after scratching the lucky $5 ticket at Sheetz on N.C. 150 North in Winston-Salem.

“I drove straight home and woke up my mom,” Noga said. “I said ‘Mom, I think my life just changed.’”

After state and federal taxes were withheld, Noga received a check worth $103,801.

“Wow, this feels amazing,” Noga said as he collected his winnings.
The Caesars game, which went on sale on April 1, offers players a $150,000 top prize and a chance to win a trip to Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas trip includes airfare for two and four night’s accommodations at Caesars Palace, transportation to and from the airport and $1,250 in spending money.

As of Thursday afternoon, five more $150,000 top prizes and 11 Las Vegas trips remain to be claimed instantly in the game.

Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.4 billion for the state. North Carolina Education Lottery net proceeds will be used this year to help pay salaries of teachers and teacher assistants, for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.

For details on how more than $45 million in lottery funds have made a difference in Davidson County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.