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news blog > article

Games starting Tuesday offer ‘prizes of a lifetime’

August 24, 2012 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:58 AM
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In an average week most people do things like stop for gas, buy groceries, and maybe get together with family or friends. A series of new scratch-off games starting Tuesday could make those average weeks more interesting. Here’s why: They give players the chance to win as much as $5,000 a week for life.

The new games offer the largest guaranteed top prizes ever on $1, $2, $5, and $10 scratch-off tickets.

Payments on a top prize will continue for the winner’s entire life. The guaranteed value is at least 20 years of payments to winners (or, if something should happen, to winners’ estates). So, these top prizes could be – and we hope are – worth much more than the guaranteed amount.

Although the top prizes are equal to the weekly amount advertised, winners will receive them in annual payments. Top prize winners of these games also have the option of claiming their winnings as a one-time lump sum payment. Here’s a breakdown by game:

  • “$5,000 a Week for Life!” is a $10 game that starts with more than $87.5 million in total prizes, including more than 220,000 prizes of $50 to $10,000. The top prize can be claimed in annuity payments of $260,000 a year (more than $5.2 million guaranteed) or a lump sum of $3,536,000.
  • “$2,500 a Week for Life!” is a $5 game that starts with more than $41.8 million in total prizes, including more than $11.9 million in prizes of $30 to $10,000. The top prize can be claimed in annuity payments of $130,000 a year (more than $2.6 million guaranteed) or a lump sum of $1,768,000.
  • “$1,000 a Week for Life!” is a $2 game that starts with more than $19.2 million in total prizes, including more than 183,000 prizes of $20 to $10,000. The top prize can be claimed in annuity payments of $52,000 a year (more than $1 million guaranteed) or a lump sum of $708,000.
  • “$500 a Week for Life!” is a $1 game that starts with more than $7.6 million in total prizes. Players who reveal a “Money Bag” symbol win the prize shown. The top prize can be claimed in annuity payments of $26,000 a year ($520,000 guaranteed) or a lump sum of $354,000.

We are excited to meet the 12 North Carolina winners of these “prizes of a lifetime” and wish all our players the best of luck.


66 COMMENTS

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10/15/2012 11:24 - NC Lottery

@ EARL2212 - It's important to play games of chance for fun, since it always takes luck to win a prize, big or small. If you read other comments here in the Lucke Zone you will see that many players have accumulated many points to enter into the first drawing.

10/15/2012 10:58 - m. earl b.

here i am again! seems like each time i buy these game tickets all losers(blanks) are for me.Some child in this state should have the best education there is with all the money that i have put into these games thus far. bought 5(in a roll) two dollars Xmas tickets and got nothing for them. when i go on line to enter the tickets they are only worth .2 points each. how long will it take for the avg. player to reach 50 points to enter a game? money running out!!!!

9/13/2012 11:37 - kelly s.

to macmillion, maybe he would apply it toward the deficit.

9/12/2012 10:22 - carolyn b.

I have bought several of the ten dollar tickets and 1 each of the others.......and havent won a thing yet........gl 2 ev1

9/12/2012 09:08 - carolyn b.

I have bought several of the ten dollar tickets and 1 each of the others.......and havent won a thing yet........gl 2 ev1

9/05/2012 12:06 - Donnell G.

I hope its obama...he has done so much for this country.

9/04/2012 02:11 - m. earl b.

i bet you that someone at the DNC in Charlotte will win one of those lifetime tickets. i bet you!!!

9/04/2012 11:41 - NC Lottery

@ NCBEST - The odds are the same no matter where you live or play. There are two ways to look at the big city / small town topic that is constantly being discussed among lottery players and here in the Lucke Zone. On the one hand, about 25% of North Carolinians live in Guilford, Mecklenburg, and Wake Counties. On the other hand, that means 75% of North Carolinians do not. So we expect to see winners from all across the state, and we do, every day and every week.

9/04/2012 11:31 - NC Lottery

@ EARL2212 - No matter where you play lottery games, the prize structure is different for every game, and there are always many more non-winning tickets than winning tickets. That's what makes it possible to award large and small prizes. There is no way to tell which tickets will be winning or non-winning - its all a matter of luck.

9/04/2012 11:13 - NC Lottery

@ MACMILLION - Your question is based on an inaccurate assumption. All the tickets for the $4 Million Cash Blowout game were printed at the same time. For all we know someone has already scratched off a top prize but hasn't claimed it yet. We never know until the lucky ticketholder shows up at HQ.

9/03/2012 02:19 - SANDON E.

i find more in trash so i get them out and save them for the rewards program to start never know someone trash might add up to a win for me.

9/02/2012 08:29 - Donnell G.

Dang, i am still waiting for the the next 4 million dollar winner in the $20 scratch off...its been a while since the last winner came near lottery headquarters. My question is, when are you going to print the next one??

9/01/2012 12:54 - m. earl b.

is it possible to tell us how many tickets are printed for each game. the total number, it seems like i am buying all of the non-winning tickets. are there certain numbers that i need to as for on a ticket. i have never seen such a high number of non-winning tickets and that is across the board that's not just on one game.

9/01/2012 12:50 - andreana k.

I have bought one each of the ! 1 $1 $2 $5 tickets an I have only one a dollar. I sure hope I can win something in the second chance drawing. I have never to much luck on gambling if that's what you want to call it....lol

8/31/2012 12:23 - Reneta M.

Now If I can just get my hand on one of the winning tickets I will be thankful.

8/30/2012 05:06 - Rob R.

Whenever I look at the winners list for instant tickets, there are always so many people winning in little towns that I never heard of before in my life. Seems like there would be more winners in Raleigh and Charlotte since so many people live there.

8/29/2012 01:51 - NC Lottery

@ GJOYNER - The Lucke-Rewards program is set to start on Oct. 1; stay tuned to the Lucke-Zone for more info over the next few weeks leading up to then :-)

8/29/2012 01:50 - NC Lottery

@ REASHA - Thanks for taking time to leave your nice comment. We are excited about the game and wish everyone luck, too

8/29/2012 01:34 - Reasha R.

I applaud the NCEL for such games. Not only will winners get the BEST outcome, the money that will fund schools and teacher salaries truly wins. Good luck to all players!

8/29/2012 10:09 - Gloris J.

I do not see any ads on your site about the non-winning ticket promo any more. It is still on for October is it not? Although I am looking forward to the promo, having to save all of my non-winning scratch offs makes me reluctant to buy more. It makes me realize how much money I am losing.

8/28/2012 09:52 - NC Lottery

@ 232232 + @ LRL - Distribution of the new tickets has occurred, but every store rotates new tickets into their dispensers on their own. You should see the tickets are stores where you live this week. Best of luck!

8/28/2012 08:44 - Linda R.

I bought 10 of the new $1.00 tickets as usual on $2.00 for my efforts, Oh well, maybe one day I will win BIG. I am waiting for the new Rewards Game maybe I can use my nonwinning tickets to win at that.

8/28/2012 03:17 - carolyn b.

I went to 3 places in Davie county today and none of them had the new tickets.........

8/28/2012 12:31 - Lando L.

I went to several stores today and the tickets were not released. What's the delay? Please. Let's get started and remove all doubts.

8/28/2012 12:09 - NC Lottery

@ EARL2212 - Tickets for new games do come out on the same day. The other commenter didn't see tickets days ahead of time, they just saw advertisements in the store for the tickets and thought the tickets had already sold out.

8/28/2012 10:57 - Mary Ellen D.

Good Luck to all who play, may all your dreams come true

8/28/2012 10:24 - m. earl b.

i thought that all tickets were release on the same day! how could someone see the tickets days ahead of time? smells funny. ok down east lets have the first winner so the people in the Piedmont think that they have a chance. give us our first win Raleigh and some little town down east(smile). let's get started. next wk will be a good time to announce the first winner.

8/28/2012 07:29 - Brenda R.

I pray I be one of the top winners that will in in this game. 500 a week I'll be just fine too. Good luck to everyone

8/27/2012 06:35 - Rhonda F.

Tommorow is my Birthday! I have already decided I am going to win big on these tickets!

8/27/2012 10:51 - KYM B.

I've seen these tickets in the machine at Food Lion on Stantonsburg Rd.for the past three days. I was shocked to see that they were all sold out. I guess that they really weren't sold out. Just waiting for Tuesday.

8/27/2012 10:13 - NC Lottery

@ FSUMAN - There are three top prizes for each game. The odds of winning are... $10: 1 in 3.3... $5: 1 in 4.13... $2: 1 in 4.56... $1: 1 in 4.9

8/27/2012 10:11 - NC Lottery

@ EARL2212 - These are the most valuable guranteed top prizes ever offered on instant tickets for $1, $2, $5, and $10. That's why there are three top prizes for each, similar to other instant games with larger top prizes. Each game also starts with millions of dollars in other prizes.

8/27/2012 10:09 - NC Lottery

@ SANDON - Here's info about group wins from the back of the ticket: "Multiple individuals on one ticket and legal entities are only eligible to claim the guaranteed portion of the Win for Life prize without the "Life" feature, or elect the Cash Option."

8/27/2012 03:42 - SANDON E.

how would it work if say a group won a top prize in one of these games

8/26/2012 06:38 - Candy W.

I am all in for these games, because the money is better here in NC than Georga "game for life". I feel I have a better chance here with this game than 5 numbers and power ball game Georga has. Wayne is looking forward to winning something bigger than pick 5 winners. Goldsboro in tne house for education in NC!

8/26/2012 04:58 - Louis F.

My Family and I really need a financial blessing. We are living paycheck to paycheck. Hopefully this is the time we will receive the financial blessing that we really need.

8/26/2012 04:08 - YVONNE G.

I am so excited I can't wait for Tuesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YvonneGalloway

8/26/2012 03:23 - priscilla k.

it will truly be a bless from god

8/26/2012 12:58 - Virginia G.

I pray I win,I could use the money. Good luck to me and everyone that plays.Let this be my blessing........... Can't wait to play.....

8/26/2012 12:22 - m. earl b.

are the people really stopping to think about these games. they said 12 people will win that's only 3 people per- ticket. gee! you are going to make a lot of money off of these new games. we need more top winners on the games. what about 100 top winners per-game. you can afford it! then all of us will fill better playing against the odds ratter then buying a lot of empty tickets.

8/26/2012 11:52 - Michelle D.

Payday week is here, and I will definitely purchase a $10 dollar ticket. I've always dreamed of winning the lottery, quiting my job, getting married and starting a family. Thank you in advance to nc-educationlottery for making me one step closer to my dreams.

8/26/2012 11:16 - andreana k.

Wow I won, I can't believe it!! Practicing what I would say being a winner. Can't wait to buy tickets on tuesday, I love scratchoffs!

8/26/2012 05:00 - keva s.

Winning this will change my life and the lives of all my family members. I pray I win, because quite frankly; everyone in my family can use the extra financial help.

8/26/2012 12:34 - andreana k.

Oh my god I can't believe I won!!!! Thank you jesus!! This is probaly what I will say when I win. I will definetly be buying some tickets on tuesday. Who knows this may be the blessing I have waiting for.

8/26/2012 12:27 - Pamela N.

I will definitely play this game. NC is still young to the lottery, I'm sure we will join Va at some point. Good blessing to all.

8/25/2012 11:04 - Chuck B.

Can't wait, what are the odds and is there only 1 grand prize winner perdollar amount?

8/25/2012 08:20 - Donna P.

I'm soooooooooo happy!!!!!!!!Hands up

8/25/2012 01:40 - Lara B. M.

we did it!!! we did it!!! im just practicing my yell for when we win! my future wife rarely plays lottery but once she heard about this game she looked me in the eyes and said," thats my ticket!"

8/25/2012 12:33 - Sophia M.

I like what 232232 said about Virginia, That would be good

8/25/2012 12:30 - Keith I.

I have been waiting since NC. started the lottery for these type of scratch off tickets to be offered, for some reason... I like these type of scratch off tickets!!! and four kinds at one time,way to go NC. I will be playing all of them, Good Luck to all who play!!!...Have fun !!! AND WIN!!!!

8/25/2012 12:09 - Rose H.

WOW,I will definately be playing!!!!!!!

8/25/2012 11:21 - Mary M.

Very excited about the new scratch offs. Will purchase tickets on Tuesday... wish me luck!

8/25/2012 10:59 - NC Lottery

@ DERRICK - You are correct that we don't know the winners will be North Carolina residents. But we do know that the winners will be North Carolina winners, because they will have won playing the North Carolina Education Lottery.

8/25/2012 10:22 - Sharlene W.

I can't wait to play!!!!!

8/25/2012 07:06 - Shelby C.

I plan to buy some tickets on Tuesday and I bet the buying of these tickets will increase greatly.

8/25/2012 06:27 - Roger K.

yup!! that's what I'm talking about, seen tickets like these in Fla. Sure glad y'all decided to get them here. I sure will be playing these all I can...GOOD LUCK TO ME!!!!!!!

8/24/2012 06:08 - marcia b.

can't wait to get started. just love these games

8/24/2012 05:32 - Cozetta S.

I am in it

8/24/2012 03:42 - Wanda M.

These will be the BEST tickets ever offered !!! I;m super excited, and hope to be 1 of the 12 winners.Please be sure to distribute some winning ticket in the Newton Grove area.:)

8/24/2012 03:39 - Sophia M.

I am very excited

8/24/2012 03:31 - Sophia M.

Wow this is great

8/24/2012 02:02 - Ida I.

GREAT

8/24/2012 01:44 - melba k.

Ihave been waiting a long time,spent a lot of money on lottery tickets,so I'm feeling lucky!

8/24/2012 12:58 - carolyn b.

I like the new tickets coming out.......and I will try them out.......BUT I still wish NC would join VA in the the twice weekly draw game WIN FOR LIFE and it only cost 1.00 to play it.....Its a GREAT GAME for people who dont like the new "POWERBALL"

8/24/2012 12:30 - Derrick M.

"We are excited to meet the 12 North Carolina winners". Lucke-Zone, you must know something the general public don't. How do you know the winners will be from North Carolina?

8/24/2012 12:23 - Patricia B.

I would love to win this it would be a hard to decide to have a lump sum or annuity payments but either way I hope to win.

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