North Carolina players win eleven big prizes

February 12, 2012 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:54 AM

The big story heading into the weekend was the big Powerball jackpot. It turns out that one 'perfect ticket' sold in Rhode Island matched all six numbers to win the $336.4 million jackpot. Meanwhile, here in North Carolina, seven Powerball tickets won big prizes.

We'll get to the Powerball tickets in a moment. The night before, a pair of Mega Millions tickets matched all five white balls to win $250,000 each. The lucky tickets were sold at the JP Wilkesboro on U.S. 421 in Wilkesboro and at Beach's General Store on N.C. 73 in Stanley in Lincoln County.

But those two quarter million dollar prizes were not the biggest of the weekend. Saturday night, two Carolina Cash 5 tickets split the $566,968 jackpot to win $283,484 apiece. Those tickets were sold at the Westview Grocery on West Catawba Avenue in Mount Holly and at the Quik Check on Zoo Parkway in Asheboro.

All seven North Carolina Powerball tickets that won big prizes Saturday matched four white balls and the Powerball - three of which were Power Play tickets - making them worth $40,000 each. They were sold at the Food Lion on Holloway Drive in Durham, the Food Lion on Johnston Road in Charlotte, and the Lowe's Foods on N.C. 127 in Hickory.

The other four tickets are worth $10,000. One was sold at Uncle Bill's Mini Mart on New Hope Road in Raleigh. Another was sold at the Quik Chek on N.C. 109 in Denton, in Davidson County. Two of the lucky tickets were sold at retailers in the town of Maiden located in Catawba County. Those stores are the Country Market on Startown Road and the Kangaroo Express on East Main Street.

84 COMMENTS

3/03/2012 08:32 - Thorne B.

In respose to Deep1:NC tax tables start with a $600 income,if you or anyone can get that changed,then you will have the ability to pick up $600 at a retailer. The odds are against you:a snowball chance in Hades due to General Assembly make-up for years in the past and the economic situation we are now in,caused by them.Thanks,Bayt777.Good luck to everyone!

2/27/2012 04:25 - Michael R.

Bay, my point is, it still makes no sense. Taxes aren't paid in other states on $600. Most states pay up to $600 at retailers. This ensures that if a number like 1222 comes out, players can just pick up their 600 bucks at any retailer. Again, if this is a General Assembly issue, then they need to address it. Most lotteries placate to what the players want. You have to give a little to players, for they are the engine.

2/26/2012 10:55 - NC Lottery

That info sounds just about right, BAYT777.

2/26/2012 07:37 - Thorne B.

In respose to Deep1: Taxes are paid on any amount above $599 in NC. A W-2 is issued for that amount. Retailers do not have that capability.You could also mail tickets(below $100,000) to Headquarters in Raleigh; $0.45 cents vs price of gas. Lucke-zone,am I correct? Thank-you.

2/23/2012 01:10 - Michael R.

Still don't understand why NCEL makes you go to the regional offices just to pick up $600 , as opposed to letting retailers pay out $600. For example if 4144 is drawn, then in Virginia, you can just pick up the $600 at any retailer.... Gas is too expensive to drive all the way to Greenville or Raleigh . Let these retailers pay out the $600 like other states do!! Man, this lottery has a long way to go in understanding what the players want. Without tweaks, peoples gonna give up playing in the end.

2/23/2012 11:31 - Donnell G.

will be glad to,anything to bring a triple since nc has NONE this year!!

2/23/2012 09:27 - NC Lottery

@ MACMILLION - If you ask the SC Lottery and get a response, would you share that with us here in the Lucke-Zone?

2/23/2012 03:02 - Ronald j.

CONGRATS TO ALL THE BIG WINNERS. WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO THE QUADS. THE LAST QUAD LANDED ON 10/29/2011, QUAD 6! ANY QUAD PLAYERS OUT THERE?

2/22/2012 06:25 - Donnell G.

I wonder if the sc lottery has pre-draws, because they have had 4 triples this year. north carolina has none.

2/22/2012 11:18 - jeavon c.

I wish that they would say if the person won with the numbers they play or if the chose a quick pick. Thanks

2/21/2012 08:08 - Michael R.

LOL@ Derrick, I can tell you that being near the Va Borderline, that a lot of players are frustrated with the NC lottery. They had left Valottery when the NC lottery first came aboard, but now they are going back across the line to play. By the way I've bought 44 one dollar scratch tickets in the past few weeks and nothing!!

2/21/2012 09:20 - NC Lottery

@ DERRICK - If you'd like to see a drawing, then by all means take us up on the invitation we've extended to you many times to attend one in person.

2/21/2012 03:28 - Derrick M.

I need lottery players to sign a petition to get NCEL drawings of Pick3, Pick4, and Cash5 to reflect other states lottery drawings like South Carolina, Virginia, Florida, or Texas. I believe it will curb some of our disgust of NCEL's current technique of displaying/drawing lottery numbers. I was told they use a digital background to show viewers the numbers. Anytime a game involves multiple numbers with hundreds of thousands of players and dollars, NCEL should make the televise drawings so clear to the general public that they're fair & random drawings. As a lottery player, I don't care if there's an auditing firm present... I want to see a REAL LIVE DRAWING without your digital backgrounds. If all you have or can afford is a blue room, i want to see a natural drawing in a blue room.

2/20/2012 03:48 - Reneta M.

I recieve this quick pick lottery ticket on mega million and I play it on the cash 5, mega and powerball. I have never receive anything but the ball winning. This ticket has played all the numbers in the ball area of mega and the powerball but will not drop all 6 together, how odd. NC lottery does'nt pay out like others. Skipping back and forth on pick 3 and 4 with some of the same repeats just switched the numbers around.This takes the fun out of winning.

2/20/2012 10:23 - NC Lottery

@ DEEP1 - Creative theory, but it's all luck.

2/19/2012 07:47 - Michael R.

Of course those at the top knows where the winning jackpot scratch off tickets are. Every pack has a serial number on it and every ticket has a serial number on it. This is how the computer knows if it's a winner right away when scanned. This is the technological age so of course we know everything we need to know. This is also the super computer age. Of course the objective is to put a higher percentage of winners in the population areas to keep them interested.

2/19/2012 10:51 - NC Lottery

@ DERRICK - We would never even consider censoring your comments just because you ask questions. With regard to printing of instant tickets. All of those processes are audited for security and legitimacy. As for the history of scratch-off game revenue and the breakout of prizes vs. returns to education.. that's a lot of data you're asking about and would fall under the category of a public records request. You can see what the payout percentages are on each scratch-off game.. the higher priced tickets have the best odds of winning a break-even prize or better as is usually the case with games of chance anywhere you play them. We pay out about double in prizes what we're able to return to the state for education.

2/19/2012 04:13 - Derrick M.

@ Lucke-Zone, For as long as NCEL allow me to post my thoughts and concerns of their operation, I shall seek answers to questions I think the public should know. And, for what its worth, I appreciate your time and effort. :) Now, back to business. If no one knows where the big winning tickets are in a scratch-off game, does that include the printing company? Also, out of all NCEL scratch-off tickets, have any of them at the end of its life span paid out more than what was generated? For example; Payout = $50 million sales = $35 million NCEL = -$15 million

2/18/2012 04:24 - Roger K.

i like playing when i can,money is tight,but when some comes loose,i do purchase scratch offs and PB,MM CASH5.. won 100.00 dollars on a scratch off,one time,won 100.00 dollars on powerball one time,won 4 numbers correct on cash 5 twice,all this winning has been over two years ago. win little amounts now,20$ here 5$ there 15$ sometimes,$25.00 hardly ever now.I only purchase the 5.00 dollar tickets,buy PB,MM,CASH5..never buy 10.00 dollar tickets or the 20.00 dollars tickets.100,000 win would suit me just fine,just when,where will it happen.Hope very soon...with everyone complaining about lottery,it's a wonder that they stop it here in NC.. then it's back to SC. for me.

2/18/2012 09:35 - NC Lottery

@ CARMAN - All of our processes are very carefully structured, and audited, to ensure the games are fair to everyone. Our lottery here in North Carolina is highly regulated. Winning tickets are randomly distributed throughout the entire printing run of the game and, contrary to your accusation, nobody has any idea where the big-winning, winning, and non-winning tickets are, either by roll or within the roll. They're shipped to retailers as they're ordered.

2/18/2012 09:32 - NC Lottery

@ DERRICK - As you can see, we don't mind posting your comments and questions for everyone to see. We have posted and responded to every question you've asked, either through a quick answer here or a more involved one through the playerinfo e-mail address. On occasion, we will ask players to submit their questions through the formal channels for a response instead of an informal one here in the Lucke-Zone. We do our best to respond to a large volume of comments and questions coming from a range of different sources. our blog is mainly for information about games and winners; if you have complex questions about the way the lottery works, you need to submit those questions formally.

2/18/2012 09:24 - NC Lottery

@ BAYT777 - Thanks for the update and for taking time to comment :-)

2/17/2012 07:34 - Thorne B.

The notification part of Lucke-numbers is now working.Thanks for your help! Wish everyone would realize that this is gambling and cannot by state law be "fixed" for certain areas of the state to win.In fact it would be impossible to do so. Just my opinion. Thanks again for your help.

2/17/2012 05:52 - JIM B.

Derrick,I think you are right on brother! My question would be-that the people that print these big winning scratchoff tickets have to have the knowledge of exactly what pack# and ticket# have the winners.NCEL cannot tell me that absolutely no one knows what pack they are in. Therefore there has to be someone in Raleigh that is privy to the same information! In order to keep the game exciting, I feel these winners are randomly placed in different parts of the state to keep interest generated and are doled out slowly as to keep the interest in the game continuing.If all the big winners were to be paid out early then the public would likely not want to purchase them. I,like yourself believe that all is not as it seems. I would venture a guess that this post will not appear as others i have written never seem to make it on here either. Good luck to all!

2/17/2012 05:03 - Derrick M.

@ Lucke-Zone, It appears that most of the questions I submit are ignored or redirected. I'm not only blogging for answers, but also to have other bloggers read my concerns and your response. Several weeks ago I posted a few blogs with you redirecting me to playerinfo@lotterync.net for a formal answer. It's clear that the information I'm seeking, NCEL doesn't want that info published in LUCKE-ZONE for the masses to read. Now, other LUCKE-ZONE members/players ask questions or make comments that may not be accurate, yet, you seem to provide them with factual data. Now, What's wrong with that picture?

2/17/2012 11:43 - marriette b.

hey folks i finally won something after playing over 5-yrs wow its a spa gift card so all of yeall that havent won something yet dont give up your time will come God bless

2/17/2012 10:30 - NC Lottery

@ DERRICK - You have lots of questions today! You should submit a public records request so that we can provide a thorough response for you. Please submit your questions to playerinfo@lotterync.net so that your questions can be directed to the right people.

2/17/2012 10:28 - NC Lottery

@ DERRICK - We have high security in place to ensure the drawings are conducted fairly. You should come to one in person to see how much care is taken to ensure the fairness of the game.

2/17/2012 10:26 - NC Lottery

@ MACMILLION - Our first $4 million winner in the Cash Blowout game is from Raleigh. Which at least a few people have heard of ;-)

2/17/2012 07:42 - suzanne m.

I live in eastern NC and won 10grand,not bad! But still looking for that 10 million...

2/17/2012 03:04 - Derrick M.

Can the public visit the area/location where the scratch-off tickets are stored and view their records as to what serial numbers when to what retailer? Also, Can I purchase tickets at the warehouse and choose what batch of tickets I want? If yes, great!! If not, why?

2/17/2012 02:47 - Derrick M.

@ Lucke-Zone, Can you tell me what are the procedures of retailers in obtaining/replenishing scratch-offs? Also, the prizes are distributed throughout the entire printing of a scratch-off game, when retailers order more tickets, are they given tickets from the 1st box printed or could they get it from the 1,689th box?

2/17/2012 02:28 - Derrick M.

If the general public want to view a live drawing, we have to schedule an appointment!? And on that day, the drawings would be randomly drawn. We are playing the lottery to win a large some of money to do a variety of thing we normally would not achieve in a short time frame. Most players(in my opinion) are not playing for fun as if we're giving to a charity. We the people, want to view a live drawing because we don't trust you NCEL. When money is involved, an independent auditing firm can be bought. Who will audit the auditor and so on? NCEL doors should be open to anyone everyday(with capacity restrictions of course)with and without an appointment to ensure fairness to all players....but that will not happen because people like me can't stop organized crime at this scale.

2/16/2012 07:32 - Donnell G.

lst 4 million dollar winner?? really? what small town was it in that no one has heard of??

2/16/2012 04:49 - bonnie t.

i use to win a lot now not much i think they have cut back

2/16/2012 02:20 - NC Lottery

@ CEM3 - Everyone who plays has the same chance to win, regardless of where they live. The biggest lottery winner in North Carolina history won $141.4 million, and he's from Asheville. But generally speaking, most of the people who live in North Carolina live east of Hickory. All the large cities except for Asheville and loads of medium and small-sized downs are all east of Hickory. That said, did you see the article in yesterday's Hickory Daily Record? It was about three lucky winners in your area.

2/16/2012 02:17 - NC Lottery

@ LUCKYJ2112 - Well, once any instant game starts, the odds of winning go up and down for the rest of the game. Any time a winning ticket is sold, the odds of winning get a little worse, and any time a non-winning ticket is sold, the odds of winning get a little better. Winning tickets for any game, such as Sapphire Blue 7's, are distributed at random throughout the entire printing run of the game, not roll-by-roll of tickets. If winning a prize was as simple as buying 10 tickets at a time, that's what everyone would do. Sometimes it takes just one ticket. We've expanded the amount of info about prizes remaining on each game page, we hope that it helps you decide which games you might want to play.

2/16/2012 02:14 - NC Lottery

@ ELWELL - Visit our website, click on the "Contact Us" tab, and call our security division to schedule it.

2/16/2012 02:12 - NC Lottery

@ DOTTIE56 - we just had our first $4 million winner in the Cash Blowout game: http://bit.ly/z1NPM6 ... it takes a lot of luck to win a prize playing games of chance, we hope you have good luck

2/16/2012 02:06 - NC Lottery

@ MTYPITT - We've raised more than $2.2 billion for education, and pay out about $2.4 million per day in prizes.. but it takes a lot of luck to win. So we hope you enjoy playing, and wish you the best of luck!

2/16/2012 01:22 - montory p.

im going to ask jermy lin,about some lottery numbers because all he do is win,win,win,i play all games pick,3,4,5,mm,pb and nuthing,i hope all those kids are getting a good education with my hard earn money, please luckezone tell me something.

2/15/2012 09:15 - Donnell G.

if you want to win cash 5 in gaston county, buy a ticket in cherryville or mount holly..mount holly has lots of big scratch off winners also.

2/15/2012 07:25 - dorothy q.

I HAVE BEEN BUYING THE NEW 20.00 TICKET EVERY SINCE THEY CAME OUT AND I HAVE NOT SEEN A BIG WINNER YET ARE THERE NO PRIZE MONEY ON THESE TICKETS.

2/15/2012 03:46 - Keith R.

I just want to pay for my brothers furneral more than anything in the world and to buy a decent Tombstone.

2/15/2012 02:31 - Louis F.

How do I attend a live drawing?

2/15/2012 02:17 - James H.

As far as scratch offs- Am I correct in saying that as prizes are won, the odds decrease for winning tickets? I am really considering not playing scratch offs anymore, as I bought 7 back to back "Saphire Blue 7's" (ticket#'s 004-010), and NOT ONE of them were winners. If I am correct, any chance the remaining prizes page can be changed to reflect the actual odds for remaining prizes for each game?

2/15/2012 11:28 - Ronnie B.

Seems like most of the winners are EAST of Hickory. Why is that??? Dont tell me that the stores sell more tickets either.....Something is very wrong...

2/15/2012 09:12 - NC Lottery

@ DEEP1 - We actually award a higher percentage of prizes today than we did when the lottery began here in North Carolina. The winning number combinations of the random drawings are just that - random. We appreciate our players very much. You are welcome to attend a live drawing sometime.

2/14/2012 07:59 - Michael R.

Shelia since NC hired this new lottery director, the triples magically stopped falling like they would fall with the original lottery director. Now it's all about making as much money for education as possible. They don't care about the players(the ones who make the lottery go).

2/14/2012 07:52 - robinson s.

I will be the next big winner very soon!!!

2/14/2012 07:47 - robinson s.

I will be the next big winner very very soon!!!

2/14/2012 06:30 - john c.

I was in Rhode Island last Saturday - I bought a PB ticket - maybe I should check it - wouldn't that be a kick in the head if it's the one - lessee where did I put it?, not sure.

2/14/2012 05:23 - Emma E.

My congrats to all of the winners and I hope that very soon I will be one of the lucky winners. Emma

2/14/2012 11:26 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER - Just because the big winning tickets from over the weekend were from other places doesn't mean there aren't winners in the places you're talking about. Through June 30 of last year, Brunswick players had won more than $35.5 million, New Hanover players had won more than $72.2 million, and Pender players had won more than $18.6 million. Keep in mind that places with winning tickets have their share of non-winning tickets, too. We wish you, and everyone who chooses to play, the best of luck. Everyone has the same chance of winning regardless of where they live or play.

2/14/2012 10:35 - Shelia H.

when will the nc-lottery play triples, they play everything but triples, last one was July 2011

2/14/2012 08:58 - James L.

I have a feeling my time is coming to be a thousandnaire or millionnaire.

2/14/2012 08:49 - JOANN M.

Like the person made the comment eariler you have to be in it to win it. So if you choose to stop playing that is on you. i will continue to play because i know without a doubt i will win soon and very soon.

2/13/2012 10:38 - bruce s.

lucky-zone why does all the big prizes end up in the same area its not fair for all the other players who spend there money on nonwinning tickets i give up im not spending anymore money on the lottery until we get some big winners in southeastern nc pender,brunswick,new hanover.

2/13/2012 06:38 - Rose D.

One of the winning Mega tickets was sold at my store...woot hoot! Congratulations!!!!

2/13/2012 05:04 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER - For help entering our second chance drawings, please give our player hotline a call at 877-962-7529

2/13/2012 05:03 - NC Lottery

@ CHEMOKA - If you read comments in the Lucke-Zone, it is interesting because you will see players in the east say that only players in the west win, or vice versa. The fact is, it takes a lot of luck to win wherever you live and play, and everyone has the same chance of winning. Places with winning tickets have their share of non-winning tickets, too! :-)

2/13/2012 05:00 - NC Lottery

@ BAYT777 - For a technical question like yours, can you please go to the top-right of the Lucke-Zone and click "SUPPORT" and e-mail your question? Thanks!

2/13/2012 04:15 - NC Lottery

@ SUSAN - Thanks for asking. Saturday 2/25 is 9am-9pm and Sunday 2/26 is 10am-7pm

2/13/2012 04:14 - NC Lottery

@ KD - That's just the way Powerball works. We offer lots of other games that have different odds and prize structures, maybe one of those is a better fit for your taste in games :-)

2/13/2012 01:22 - Andrea S.

Good for them!Hope we hit soon,so we can retire to our own island..haha.

2/13/2012 09:54 - Leslie S.

Congratulations Winners!!! Keep winning!!!

2/13/2012 09:42 - joyce e.

yes, God is always good. I will keep praying for my big win,and many blessings to all the winners.

2/13/2012 09:37 - Susan M.

What will be the hours each day for the lottery event at Bass Pro Shops in Charlotte on Feb. 25 & 26?

2/13/2012 09:24 - ken d.

Spread the wealth....$300 million for one person is nuts. There should be a guaranteed 10 winners for any amount over $100 million dollars.

2/13/2012 06:47 - Thorne B.

Luck-e-zone:Is there a problem with the notification part of the Luck-e-numbers? I chose correct numbers for Cash Five(not all) but no noification occurred. Thank-you and congrats to the winners; hope they will put their winnings to good use!

2/13/2012 06:42 - Deborah S.

~SWEET~ If any of the winners would like 2 donate any 2 me (an unemployed Vet) trying to take care of an elderly Aunt, message me on FB.. Doubt thats going 2 happen but you never know?~Just really hope you use your winnings wisely!~Congrats 2 all of y'all~

2/13/2012 02:13 - Donnie B.

There is no luck in Northeastern NC!

2/12/2012 09:32 - Tajauna M.

congrats to all the winners i just wish one day i would win big cause i know a lot of people i would help and my mother will never have to work again

2/12/2012 09:00 - Joe W.

Congratulations to all the winners.I pray and hope that i will be the next big winner.

2/12/2012 08:55 - Deborah M.

why is it always east nc?

2/12/2012 08:53 - Barb S.

I will win it next week I got the feeling Good job you winners

2/12/2012 08:53 - gregory m.

you have to play to win keep playing N.C.

2/12/2012 06:02 - dorothy m.

congratulations!! to all of you winners, hope i win someday.

2/12/2012 04:36 - Thach V.

I am happy for everyone! One day our time is coming...soon and very soon!

2/12/2012 04:06 - kay b.

how do i sign up for second chance

2/12/2012 02:43 - Roger K.

well folks,no wins for my group. 63.00 dollars for powerball. 20.00 dollars for CASH5,no winning numbers on that either.Donation for nc education. Congrats to all the winners here..if you feel the need to share some,please let me know!

2/12/2012 01:33 - Rose B.

Congratulations to all winners

2/12/2012 01:25 - harry r.

That is amazing. Still i take my chances and play and one day hope to win just a little bit of change before i get to old to spend it.

2/12/2012 12:45 - Antoine B.

Congrats to all of the winners ! .....

Win up to $1,000,000 every 4 minutes

Big Thrills Served Fast.

Progressive Jackpot Estimate

North Carolina players win eleven big prizes

February 12, 2012 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:54 AM

Helpful Links

Get the Mobile App

No Longer Just a Game? There's Help