Check your pockets: Three big prizes still unclaimed

October 5, 2015 Posted by NC Lottery at 5:34 PM

North Carolina is no stranger to big wins in jackpot games. Most players know that winners have 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prize. But sometimes, for whatever reason, those big wins go unclaimed. So in an effort to try and match these prizes to their winners, we’d like to talk about three big wins that are still up for grabs.

The biggest unclaimed prize came from a $1 million-winning Mega Millions ticket in the Aug. 7 drawing. The ticket matched all five white balls (1-38-53-63-66) but not the Mega Ball. It was purchased at the Rose Mart on North Nash Street in Wilson. The ticket will expire on Feb. 3, 2016.

Two tickets that matched all five numbers in the Carolina Cash 5 game have yet to show up at our claim center. The first, from the Aug. 27 drawing, was purchased at the Brotherhood Market on South Pollock Street in Selma. The $164,825 jackpot will expire on Feb. 23, 2016. The winning numbers were 5-7-8-21-26.

The second, from the Sept. 10 drawing, was purchased at Three Brothers By-Lo on Reynolda Road in Winston-Salem. The $159,113 jackpot is set to expire on March 8, 2016. The winning numbers were 1-7-15-22-24.

We’d much rather see three good luck stories than three prizes go unclaimed, so be sure to check those couch cushions, coat pockets and junk drawers. And, as always, make sure you sign the back of the ticket to prove that you’re the rightful owner.

56 COMMENTS

10/15/2015 03:25 - Phyllis N.

Even since I wrote something negative about the lottery 2 weeks ago, I haven't been getting the daily emails about winning numbers, even though I do get the emails for entries I do in the Luck Zone. Nothing on my end has changed; what's up? And I hope that it doesn't effect any chances( no matter how slight they may be) in me winning any 2nd chance drawings. I did send an email to the Help desk, which was answered, and I receive their response with no problem either.NC Lottery
Your comments/feedback would never impact whether you get e-mails from us or affect in any way your chances of winning. Would you please call customer service at 877-962-7529 to explain the situation with your daily e-mails?

10/14/2015 09:12 - steve B.

We need some more 2nd chance drawings to enter!

10/14/2015 04:14 - Stephanie w.

This has nothing to do with the powerball. But I was looking at the online winners for the gold rush 5,000 it says 5 winners will win but I'm only seeing 1.jsNC Lottery
Only 1 of the 5 winners has claimed the prize. As soon as someone claims the prize, his or her name will be announced/posted.

10/13/2015 04:48 - Phyllis N.

I cannot imagine winning and not claiming the money. Hopefully the winners will claim before it's too late.

10/13/2015 03:30 - Cathy S.

yea, I wish I could win big love to use it for all the right reasons I hate some winners where we live have used it for all the wrong reasons. Brunswick county is low on the winners list.

10/12/2015 11:29 - monica e.

Congrats to all the winners! Hopefully one day me or my Group will win in Greensboro, NC. soon. I have been playing this second chance drawing since they started it.

10/12/2015 07:24 - Tanya C.

Either the drawings are rigged or I'm the unluckiest person. I had 94 entries on the last drawing and as many more than that on several!

10/12/2015 04:50 - Cathy S.

I so want to win the ultimate million getting at the age where Im going to need the help. Or the x amount for life would be great, but no to be greedy love to win anything at least one time.

10/12/2015 03:37 - Reneta M.

I notice my post was the same as player, right below Go Rams 15. I never posted anything about ultimate millions on Oct. 9, 2015. Looks like my post got mixed up with someone elses.

10/11/2015 03:56 - Debbie M.

Has anyone ever heard of a $20.00 Ticket paying off of $2.00 Two Dollars. A twenty dollar ticket.. That's bull crap. Twenty dollars for a 2 dollars payout. You lottery people really know what your doing. Do you know how disappointing that was?? I was speechless. No one ever wins in Kannapolis, Salisbury, landis, some50me someone will win in concord. It's always in Raleigh, Greensboro, Asheville. Just very upset over the 2 dollar payout. Just needed to vent out. Not a good day.NC Lottery
None of our instant tickets have prizes on them less than the purchase price, so we hope you still have the ticket because if it is a winning ticket, you won at least $20. We have had many winners in your area, here is a link to some info: http://bit.ly/1R7BsOf

10/11/2015 11:39 - kenneth s.

Hope they didnt throw em after entery in lucky zone since they dont prompt winners any more!! Be so sad

10/10/2015 12:52 - NC Lottery

NC Lottery
DEEP1 The prize structure of each instant game is set up so that the revenue from that game will support the prizes. Draw games work the same way. So one lottery game does not support another lottery game. Also, each drawing is an independent event and the odds of winning prizes are the same each time. All drawings are done under the supervision of independent auditors.

10/10/2015 12:48 - Roger K.

The biggest unclaimed prize came from a $1 million-winning Mega Millions ticket in the Aug. 7 drawing. The ticket matched all five white balls (1-38-53-63-66) but not the Mega Ball. It was purchased at the Rose Mart on North Nash Street in Wilson. The ticket will expire on Feb. 3, 2016. Well, Well, Well! Put out the word, and they come forward. Now only two tickets left to be claim now! Congrats Mr Newton on your win! Spend it wisely!

10/09/2015 09:18 - steve B.

Any idea when the First ultimate million 2nd chance drawing will be. Are the tickets I have entered good for all three drawings? Thanks! NC Lottery
The date for the first drawing has not yet been set. You can have multiple entries in one drawing, but each drawing will be separate. Tickets entered for first drawing will not be eligible for second or third. Good luck.

10/09/2015 12:17 - Reneta M.

10/09/2015 07:19 - Lapamela J.

I live in Fayetteville and have been playing since this started and haven't been lucky. I think it's just getting the right numbers. But hopefully I'm next

10/08/2015 01:07 - Michael R.

NCEL always have these huge top prizes and payouts on scratch off tickets . 1 mil top prizes, 5 mil top prizes , four 10 mil top prizes but they rarely have a big payout for the pick 3 and pick 4 players. You cant just take away from one subset of players and rarely give them a big payout , yet turn around give another subset of players huge jackpots. I myself is a numbers player and rarely play the scratch offs. Va for instance just had a 6 million dollars payout on 8888 for its numbers players. They seem to give more back to their number players (payouts) than NC. NC appears to be screening the numbers and making sure the lowest paid numbers come out and that is unfair to this subset of players. NC Lottery
See answer below.

10/08/2015 12:52 - LLoyd K.

This is to let all the players that have been playing the LZ and haven't won anything yet, be patience. I use to think, how come I haven't won yet and the games must be rigged. But; after three years of playing LZ I finally won $500.00. Of course, its not a million dollars. I was just so happy to win $500.00 that it felt like I did win a million dollars. So for all you players that still haven't won yet, hang in there your time will come,keep playing. My next time I hope it to be a bigger amount, but; I will be content with another $500.00. Thank You Lucky Zone or should I say North Carolina Lottery.

10/08/2015 12:50 - Lapamela J.

They must don't need the money, but I do. Been praying to win since it started, but no email r phone calls. Well I will continue to pray, but happy for the winners.

10/08/2015 12:34 - LLoyd K.

I have a question about the powerball drawings. Every week the jackpot grows of couse when nobody hits it, what I would like to know is. Say the jackpot is 20 million and nobody wins it, the next week it goes up to 30 million. Instead of having one winner winning the whole thing why not say when it was at 20 million, then you draw for 20 one million dollar winners. The next week it goes up to 30 million, then you draw for 30 one million dollar winners and so forth, you get the picture. I know alot of people would be happy just to win one million dollars. You would probally sell more tickets because the odds of winner would be better for the players. Thank you and please try to pass this idea to the other 22 states that are in the powerball.

10/08/2015 07:35 - rebecca y.

If they haven't claimed it yet 9 times out of 10 the tickets are already trashed. You cant miss what you don't know had.

10/08/2015 05:33 - Tashoma L.

If you do the subscription service how do you know if you are a winner or not?NC Lottery
Winnings less than $600 will automatically be placed in your Winnings account. For prizes of $600 or more, you must submit a NCEL Claim Form to the Lottery within 180-days of the drawing. To redeem winnings $600 or more, you will receive an email regarding your winnings with instructions on how to file a NCEL Claim Form. For more info, click the HELP link at the top of the screen.

10/08/2015 03:40 - Terry B.

Knew I shoulda fixed that hole in my pocket. Especially after I lost two whole nickels out of it the other day. Probably big enough hole for a cash 5 ticket to slip out of too! Darn it!

10/07/2015 11:22 - Andrea F.

How are numerical values placed on scratch tickets? Same ticket name yet one was 150 pts & one was 30 pts. Help plzNC Lottery
Great question. Instant tickets are worth anywhere from 1 to 10 times the ticket price in Lucke Rewards points. So a $10 ticket could be worth between 10 and 100 points :-D

10/07/2015 10:28 - Sonya B.

Has anybody won a large lump sum (over $50,000) in Cash 5, Powerball or Mega Millions after purchasing tickets through Lucke Zone? The only winners I hear about are at actual stores and not online. Please let me know.NC Lottery
We have asked our research folks to send us a report on that. Can you e-mail communication@lotterync.net with "subscription" in the subject line so that we can reply to your e-mail with more info when we have it? Thanks!

10/07/2015 08:29 - Bernice B.

This second chance is so interesting, I can't wait to win something big $ my scratch offs for years has been 1$ or 5$ and I am thankful, and I feel one day will be the day , my goal is To take my girls 27, 24, an 12 years of age, on a vacation for once in our life

10/07/2015 08:00 - ana r.

what time they gona widraw the winners for reward lukeNC Lottery
Lucke-Rewards drawings are not held at a particular time of day. Since they're not televised the important thing is that we have security and audit staff available. For drawings held on a Wednesday, winners are typically notified via e-mail by 5pm Friday. Good luck!

10/07/2015 07:19 - Lawrence B.

I can't win anything I guess I never will. I will continue to play when I can but what happens to unclaimed winnings. And if it goes to the government why. The people bought those tickets not the government that's like giving money to people that's already rich. Will u please let me win something just once. U have people with money that wins over and over. I'm happy for them. Yall know where the winning tickets r sent. So please send a bunch of them to old wire convince store in laurel hill NC 28351. And let me know when you do it please and what ticket.

10/07/2015 04:13 - Susan H.

If I "buy" entries to the Wednesday drawings, are they good for the whole month or do I have to enter every week?NC Lottery
Your entry into a Winning Wednesday drawing is good for just the one drawing, not for all the drawings that month.

10/07/2015 04:09 - Betty K.

Congratulations Cecil Young .You won the trucks for bucks.One of the brand new trucks.And you won on the $500.00 second chance drawing.I hope I get lucky and win just once.Send your luck my way.

10/07/2015 03:58 - Beulah T.

Pray I'm next on the second chance,...

10/07/2015 03:34 - Michael H.

Its my ticket i can't find it my lost

10/07/2015 02:49 - teresa c.

Can y'all look at the video in the store where the person have won at

10/07/2015 02:37 - teresa c.

I can't wait for my big day. I play it all and still can't win.

10/07/2015 12:52 - tammy w.

if you live in Fayetteville you are a winner.read the winners board

10/07/2015 09:19 - Terry W. H.

All I can say is I'm in it to win it, and hopefully I'll be one of those winners.

10/07/2015 07:35 - shironzo m.

I think ncel are lying about people not coming forward so they wont have to pay up!! NC Lottery
Sorry you feel that way. The best part of our jobs and most fun part of our jobs is meeting folks who have won prizes. And we hope to meet these winners soon.

10/07/2015 04:43 - Chester W.

Now the odds of winning the powerball jackpot is enormous. the cost per ticket should be like mega millions; $1 & $2 power play option. Also the match 5 numbers should be $5 million with the power option. THX.

10/07/2015 04:24 - Damian O.

I wish it was me,one day may be my lucky day.

10/06/2015 09:35 - Dereece L.

It was me.... Just kidding lol

10/06/2015 09:20 - Sheerah B.

One of these winners (Selma) are a lucky buck!

10/06/2015 08:29 - Jill I.

Wow!!

10/06/2015 06:52 - Denver G.

I love the scaredy cash theme you guys have going for this months 2nd drawing. Should have been 13 winners, just sayin. This is October. Don't you think a scratch off with the # 13 instead off the old over used #7. Witches and black cats and broom sticks could have been used. Don't be afraid ! NC Lottery
Thanks for the shot of courage, TURBO. Glad you like the second-chance drawings.

10/06/2015 06:17 - William A.

How about give half of it to education and let the players have a chance at these unclaimed prizes! NC Lottery
Not giving up on winners yet. But if prizes are unclaimed, then that's exactly what happens.

10/06/2015 05:51 - veda c.

It is your money !!!Go ahead and claim it!!If you snooze you lose.

10/06/2015 05:34 - Phyllis R.

I got a bag full of tickets, but I didn't buy at those stores, WOW I wish it was mine!

10/06/2015 03:50 - Brent W.

Wish I could win the Cash 5 really could help me and my family, been since 2006 but yes use ur money wisely. I think if no one claims the unclaimed tickets by Feb 2016 those funds should be added too the current balance of that nites Cash 5 amt, just a suggestion since that money is unclaimed vs the State just taking it ... NC Lottery
Thanks for suggestion. Let's hope winners come forward. If not, by law half of unclaimed prizes go to education and half goes back into prizes.

10/06/2015 03:42 - vanxay s.

Word!

10/06/2015 12:51 - Roger K.

I noticed the cash 5 was won last night! How soon will the town be announced? NC Lottery
We have the locations the next day. The Oct. 5 winning Cash 5 ticket was sold at the EP Mart on Old Carriage Road in Rocky Mount. We share that news on our Twitter feed, @nclottery, if you would like to follow us.

10/06/2015 10:55 - michelle a.

Congrats to the winners??

10/06/2015 03:10 - Jack B.

I appreciate knowing the location, because it sure helps to ease my mind to know it couldn't be mine and that if I had looked over it ,this information would let me know to check again! Good Luck

10/06/2015 02:02 - Roger K.

I sure hope these folks will come forward and claim their prizes! Here i am, can't play, don't have any extra money coming in to play. But We did break free and play 5.00 dollars when the Cash5 was way up there. Won three dollars! Played the three bucks the next night and got nothing! I Looking at the instant game winning board and i noticed that Willie Mae Lisenby won a thousand dollars on Sept 11th.. Now she has won a million on the same ticket! What a lucky woman! Congrats on your big win! Spend it wisely....

10/06/2015 12:04 - cetoni J.

why do some people just don't check their tickets lol!

10/05/2015 11:56 - Marjorie C.

I wish it was me.

10/05/2015 08:44 - Christina T.

Wow...I wish!

10/05/2015 06:19 - charles d.

I know you're gathering your thoughts,planning then BOOM claim your prize the way i would do it GET YOUR MONEY i will be watching lol

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Check your pockets: Three big prizes still unclaimed

October 5, 2015 Posted by NC Lottery at 5:34 PM

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