Bryan McMasters of Durham claimed his share of a $520,734 Cash 5 jackpot on Wednesday, just two weeks before the ticket was set to expire. He came to Raleigh to claim his prize the same day the Education Lottery sent out a press release and took to social media to try and find the winner.
“When I won, I knew I wanted to take my time and make sure I knew exactly what I was going to do with the money,” McMasters said. “I’m going to save it for retirement.”
McMasters was one of three players to match all five numbers in the Aug. 8, 2014 drawing. He learned of his $173,578 win that evening when he checked the numbers on his Quick Pick ticket against those on the lottery’s website.
“I was traveling to South Carolina to visit family and I had stopped for gas in Asheboro,” McMasters said. “I saw that the jackpot was over half a million dollars, so I decided to try my luck. I’m glad I did. It feels pretty cool to win.”
The ticket, sold at the Quik Chek on Sunset Avenue in Asheboro, beat odds of 1 in 575,757 to win. After state and federal taxes were withheld, McMasters collected a check for $120,204.
Winners have 180 days to claim their prizes. McMasters’ ticket was scheduled to expire at 5 p.m., Feb. 4.
It's never fun to see a prize expire, especially of that size. We're very happy for Mr. McMasters and are excited that the prize didn't go unclaimed.
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