Janet Murray of Fayetteville plans to share her winnings with her family after a $1 Cash 5 ticket won her a $534,619 jackpot.
“I’m going to give some to my children and open an education fund for my great-grandchildren,” Murray said.
Murray bought her lucky ticket for the Dec. 9 drawing using Online Play. The odds of matching all five balls are 1 in 962,598. The timing of her win made it extra special.
“I won it two days before my birthday,” Murray said.
She shared the news of her big win when her family got together for the holidays.
“I told my special people on Christmas and they were all excited,” Murray said.
She claimed her prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required federal and state tax withholdings, Murray took home $384,979.
Cash 5 is one of six lottery games in North Carolina where players have the option of buying tickets at a retail location or with Online Play through the lottery’s website or the NC Lottery Official Mobile App. Monday’s jackpot is $412,000.
Education programs in Cumberland County received $22.4 million in support from lottery funds last year. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.