Bryan McMasters of Randleman always plays the same Cash 5 numbers.
“I use my son’s birthday,” McMasters said.
Last Thursday, those numbers finally hit, securing McMasters a $341,844 Cash 5 jackpot win.
“It was surreal,” McMasters said. “I saw the numbers, and knew I won.”
McMasters bought his lucky $1 ticket using Online Play. The odds of matching all five balls playing Cash 5 are 1 in 962,598.
He claimed his prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required federal and state tax withholdings, McMasters took home $246,664.
“I can finally relax.” McMasters said.
He plans to use his winnings to pay some bills and take his son on a cruise.
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. Thursday’s jackpot is $212,000.
Education programs in Randolph County received $8.3 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.