Three $1 million prizes top this week’s wins

The holidays came early for three lucky players who claimed $1 million prizes this week.   

Elmer Stephens of Clayton plans to retire early after he won $1 million playing Mega Millions.

“That’s the best part of winning,” Stephens said. “This is just what I needed. I also want to take a trip to Scotland.”

Stephens bought the winning ticket at the Speedway on N.C. 42 East in Clayton.

Geoffrey Luckey of Smithfield also won a $1 million Mega Millions prize. He bought his ticket at the Cruizers on Falls of Neuse Road in Raleigh.

Benny Bowles of Charlotte won $ 1 million playing Ultimate Millions. He said a gut feeling led him to try the scratch-off game.  

Bowles got his tickets when he stopped by the Quik Trip on East Long Avenue in Gastonia.

“Something just told me to buy three tickets instead of two,” Bowles said. “I wasn’t going to, but then I was at the register and I had the thought to get three again.” He did, and when he scratched the third ticket he won $1 million. He plans to save the money.

We also had some other big wins this week. Bernard Lawson Jr. of Wilmington won $100,000 playing Powerball. He bought the ticket at the Minuteman Food Mart on North JK Powell Boulevard in Whiteville. He plans to use the money to help his kids have a great Christmas.

 Five players won $20,000 to $75,000:

• Ruby Nicholson of Greensboro won $20,000 (Celebrate 2017)
• David Ashley of West End won $40,000 (Double Match)
• Ella Dry of Concord won $50,000 (Power Ball)
• Clarence Stewart of Goldsboro won $50,000 (Powerball)
• Lindsey Whitley of Oakboro won $75,000 (National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation)

 Nine players won $10,000:

•  Charles Labree of Matthews ($400,000 Bonus Cash)
• Gerald Grover of High Point (Carolina Millions)
• Jerry Jarrell of Winston Salem ($100,000,000 Bonus Cash)
• Joshua Perkins of Concord (Carolina Millions)
• Paula Carias of Durham ($1,000,000 Bonus Cash)
• Sathish Gajapathy of Mooresville ($4,000,000 Platinum Payout)
• Terry Mauldin of Gastonia (10^th Anniversary Spectacular)
• Troy Campbell of Roxboro (Fat Wallet)
• William Nichols of Salisbury (Carolina Black)

Twenty two players won $5,000. They are from Castalia, Charlotte, Dunn, Fayetteville, Garner, Henderson, Mebane, Mocksville, Monroe, Morehead City, Newport, Roanoke Rapids, Rockwell, Shelby, Tarboro, Whitakers and Willard.

Until next time, have a fun-filled holiday weekend.