New version of Carolina Cash 5 starts Sunday

May 14, 2016 Posted by NC Lottery at 8:08 AM

Last month we posted a blog sharing the details on changes coming to Carolina Cash 5 that will lead to faster-growing, bigger jackpots. The new version of the game starts Sunday.

Carolina Cash 5 has been around for almost 10 years and it was time to follow the trend set by Powerball and Mega Millions to get bigger, faster-growing jackpots to keep the game exciting.

What’s changing? The range of numbers to choose from will move from 1-39 to 1-41. This makes the odds of matching all five winning numbers grow from 1 in 575,757 to 1 in 749,398. And, while the odds to match 2, 3 or 4 numbers will increase slightly, the prize amounts will remain the same. Another thing that isn’t changing is the ticket price at $1 per play.

These changes are what make it possible for the average jackpot we expect to see to increase from $158,000 to $225,000.

If you have questions about the changes to the game, the best way to get your questions answered is to call the customer service team between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday at 877-962-7529.

We hope you'll enjoy the new version of Carolina Cash 5.

70 COMMENTS

5/25/2016 12:04 - William H.

LOL!!! Security video!!?? Who cares About security!? Its the unfairness That concerns me...maybe instead of Trying to change the subject u should Just hold ur head down NCEL and say Ur sorry cuz u lied to me and u refuse To admit how many ball sets there actually Are in 1 game....it should be 1 ball set Used per game and u know itNC Lottery
We have had multiple ball sets for all draw games for the entire history of the lottery. If you have more questions, you're welcome to call our customer service at 877-962-7529 or call our security team and schedule a time to come watch the drawing process in person to see the care taken to ensure the integrity of the games for all players.

5/23/2016 09:07 - Stephen H.

I think you missed the boat completely. If you wanted more people to play I would have increased the non jack pot prizes. (like NY, VA, SC, etc.) I have been playing Cash 5 since its inception and have only won the 4/5 twice. Each time as less than 1% of the jackpot (260K jackpot won 242 bucks with a 4/5) Ridiculous. I am not going to increase my play actually decrease since the odds are now less. I repeat that in the survey you sent me earlier there were some great options presented. You took the easy route. Well, you losing this player to less money. From the posts here you did a good job of alienating many long time players

5/21/2016 09:25 - Charlotte R.

I will be interested in seeing if the participation in the cash five game goes up, down or is the same. I have my suspicion which direction it will go. What a shame

5/20/2016 11:11 - William H.

I'm sorry NCEL but your dead wrong On this one...and your also avoiding Actually saying that there is more than 1 ball set for each game BECAUSE U KNOW IT ISNT FAIR!! and yes u can predict The outcome of the drawings by studying The history of drawing and watching For patterns but not if there is more Than 1 ball set for each drawing!!...so Answer me this if in fact it has zero Impact of the outcome of the drawing then Why not use the same ball set per game Per drawing...1 ball set for every game.. Other words 1 ball set for cash5, 1 Ball set for powerball and so on But noooo we can't have a fair game For the serious lotto players can we NCEL? Witch is where the big $ comes From for NC lotto...y'all are so greedy NC Lottery
Here's a video that shows security around drawings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sohkunXbA38&list=PL87043FE09AAAFA64&index=6

5/20/2016 02:02 - NC Lottery

Which ball set is used has zero impact on the outcome of the drawing. There is no way to predict a pattern for random drawings. They're all isolated events. That's why you can Quick Pick or choose your own numbers on a ticket - you have the same chance to win no matter what your numbers are. Good luck to you!

5/20/2016 12:15 - William H.

OK so if there is only 1 ball set for Each game then what do u mean by a ball set Is chosen at random before each cash5 drawing I'm talking about 1 drawing that draws Every night..the NC cash5..because if a Ball set is CHOSEN at random then there Would have to be MORE THAN 1 to choose From....other words the ball set that Is used for last nights cash5 drawing May not be the same ball set that would Be used in Tonights cash5 drawing... Right? That is how u explained in both Your statements...so tell me NCEL how Can u possibly predict patterns(any Serious lotto player would know What I'm talking about) if the same Ball set isn't used for every cash5 Drawing? YOU CANT! its not possible And not only that u jacked the odds Up to a ridiculous amount!!!

5/19/2016 12:53 - William H.

WHAT!?!? Entirely new ball sets all together And there's more than 1 for the same Stinking drawing!?!? How on gods green Earth are u going to be able to predict That!?!? No wander I couldn't hit a jackpot How many ball sets is it that the guard Gets to choose from at random? I wander??? That's not a fair game at allNC Lottery
We think there is a misunderstanding :) Only ONE ball set is used per drawing, and every ball set includes ALL the possible numbers that could be drawn. The ball set is not decided on by anyone, it is chosen at random as a security measure. We do everything possible to protect the integrity of our games to be fair to ALL players! :)

5/17/2016 05:26 - carolyn b.

THE J/P GREW FAST WHEN IT GOT TO A FEW HUNDRED THOUSAND THE WAY IT WAS.....IT DIDNT NEED A CHANGE...CASH5 IS A NC ONLY GAME...THE BS SAYING IT WAS TIME TO MATCH IT TO PB & MM IS CRAP....OUR C5 HAS NOTHING 2 DO WITH MULTI STATE GAMES !!!!!!

5/17/2016 12:54 - NC Lottery

As you guys know from watching jackpots grow, they grow faster when they get bigger. A roll from $50,000 to $53,000 is quite typical. It's when it starts to get bigger and more people take a chance to win that it will grow faster. Good luck!

5/17/2016 12:53 - Brian B.

I thought the payouts would get bigger and quicker. It went from 50,000 to 53,000 same as before.

5/17/2016 09:57 - Stephen R.

Wow went from 50 to 53 over night ...big deal.

5/17/2016 09:12 - James L.

Lol. Harder to win will really make me play more. Right. I've been playing for ten years and haven't won. It took a lot of years to finally get the lottery In NC. Now that it's here and found out how much the state can make. You keep getting greedier. I'm sure that I'm not the only one giving up playing after this

5/17/2016 09:11 - carolyn b.

OOPS I MEAN 4 NUMBERS SHOULD PAY 500.00

5/17/2016 08:35 - Denver G.

@232232, I agree get 2 pay 5, get 3 pay 10, get 4 pay 500, get 5 win it all, at least 50,000. VGL2UA.

5/17/2016 08:25 - Vincent O.

So what is the starting jackpot? Try to tell you guysto introduce the powerup. And you wonder why sc is growing and doing better in lotto sales. Ncel is like stone age of sc

5/17/2016 03:44 - NORA D.

The only change is worse odds...Yeah NCEL we're stupid, NOT!

5/16/2016 09:38 - Evelyn B.

The tickets bar code for lucke-zone will not scan. Keep say incorrect bar codeNC Lottery
We have passed your comment along. Anytime you have a technical issue, the fastest way to get assistance is to click on the HELP link at the top of the screen, fill out an ONLINE SUPPORT form - and call the toll-free number for technical support. We do our best to get information back and forth between players and tech support but the blog moderators can't address tech issues.

5/16/2016 09:14 - carolyn b.

2 NUMBERS SHOULD PAY 5.00....3 NUMBERS SHOULD PAY 10.00......5 NUMBERS SHOULD PAY AT LEAST 500.00

5/16/2016 05:35 - carolyn b.

@ TURBO YES WE ARE ALL FRIENDS HERE...IC YOU FIGURED OUT WHAT TYVM MEANS....thank you very much...I WAS SAYING ON FEB 13TH THE CHANGE HAD NOT STARTED....BUT WITH THE NEW CHANGE I WILL MORE THEN LIKELY NOT HIT 4 OUT OF 5 ON THEM AGAIN.....ODDS ARE WAYYYYYY 2 BADDDDDDD....IF THEY HIT I WILL YELLLLLLL OKKKKKK VGL2U....

5/16/2016 04:43 - Steven H.

Get rid of the $1 prize for 2 numbers and increase prize amount for 3 and 4 numbers $3 prize for matching 3 numbers in just crazy

5/16/2016 03:23 - Denver G.

Never mind, 232232. No one is forcing either one of us to play. I will still continue to play my favorite numbers, they are all under 39, like yours were, no need to change up. Last nights winning numbers proved that. Thank You Very Much.

5/16/2016 02:11 - Denver G.

On 5/16/2016 11:53, 232232 said @ TURBO WHAT I SAID MAKE PERFECT SENSE TYVM DUHHHHHHHH It's all good fellow player. I'm glad you think it makes sense, I just don't see it. We can agree to disagree. What does TYVM mean?

5/16/2016 02:05 - William H.

Did The new cash5 just add three balls 39-40-41? Or is it a completely new Ball set all together?NC Lottery
Entirely new ball sets are used. The lottery's drawing security staff, under the supervision of an independent auditor, chooses a ball set at random before every drawing.

5/16/2016 01:44 - Roger K.

Wow! Already had a first time winner with new Cash 5 game format! Congrats to the Greensboro winner!

5/16/2016 01:41 - theresa R.

Problems scanning tickets. Keep getting Alert messages.pls help.NC Lottery
We have passed your comment along. Anytime you have a technical issue, the fastest way to get assistance is to click on the HELP link at the top of the screen, fill out an ONLINE SUPPORT form - and call the toll-free number for technical support. We do our best to get information back and forth between players and tech support but the blog moderators can't address tech issues.

5/16/2016 12:46 - Charles C.

Why not drop the odds by reducing numbers. I can remember years ago, we used to win a few times on the bigger pots, but now, the number of numbers and odds are so vast, winning is incredibly hard. The truth is, the payouts should be higher for the two numbers. Last week I played every day for the week, bring home nothing on my ticket. These odds are too high! Win more with better odds, the idea to sell more tickets should be realized. Winning even a little and sharing the pooled pots should be the theme! 41 numbers are too many!

5/16/2016 11:53 - carolyn b.

@ TURBO WHAT I SAID MAKE PERFECT SENSE TYVM DUHHHHHHHH

5/16/2016 10:51 - August G.

Dear NCEL, did you even consider matching NC Cash 5 to Virginia's Cash 5 play style? I visited the VA lottery's website and their Cash 5 offers much greater winning opportunities than NC. Granted the highest jackpot is only $100,000 (hey I'm not greedy!) but the odds are much better! 1 in 278K and less numbers to choose from 1 to 34. Would definitely play more if NC had this. Hope you'll consider it in the future!

5/16/2016 10:37 - Dennis C.

We as players are not sure how to thank you for this exciting opportunity. I know that myself and many friends have discussed on many occasions how we would like to see additional numbers added to Cash5. It bothered us that the odds were favorable for the player and it is not fair to the NCEL to have to sell these Cash5 tickets under such conditions. It is good to see you folks thinking of yourselves rather than the players for a change.

5/16/2016 09:51 - August G.

I always thought the odds were tough, but reasonable before (1 in 575K). That's like 1 person in 10- 60K capacity stadiums matching all 5 numbers!! But now it's getting close to 1 in a million. Good bye Cash 5!! Hello Pick 3 and Pick 4!! LOL!!!

5/16/2016 09:44 - stephen c.

Making it harder to win on another game. Just like scratch offs. In last 4 years I have won only one $400 prize. Before the 4 years I won $500 and $1000 on $10 and $20 sratch offs. Those days have ended. Its cjanged to $50 and $100.

5/16/2016 08:08 - Stephen H.

more people would play if the non-jackpot prizes were larger. the 5/15 draw for example.Prize $205K, 4 out of 5 $147dollars ridiculous. There were some great options with the survey I received months back. Some of those options would have been better than just adding more numbers. Weak at best

5/16/2016 07:57 - Denver G.

On 5/15/2016 09:08, 232232 said WELL IF I HAD MY FAVORITE NUMBERS IN ON FEB 13TH I WOULD HAVE WON 218.00.....COULD HAVE USED IT....THAT WAS MY LAST CHANCE 2 WINNNNNNNNN ON THOSE NUMBERS.......NEW CHANGE....NOOOOOOO CHANCE. that doesn't make sense. the change didn't take place till 5/14!and you can still play your fav numbers under and have a chance to win with the new matrix.

5/15/2016 04:52 - Randy R.

Just more money in NC Lottery pocket less in the regular players like me. The state of VA. has a better gaming system looks like I need to return their. NC just keeps ripping off their player adding more games and keeping more money.

5/15/2016 04:01 - David B.

In one question NCEL replied "people like to play for a bigger jackpot". If that was true,we wouldn't be so against the C5 change! NCEL doesn't no what the like ( they should know by now)this is nothing but pure greed and the players know it!! NCEL is a loser ! Welcome to the club!

5/15/2016 03:38 - Everlyne M.

I checked yesterday, the jackpot was $190,000+, I checked again today, the jackpot is about $220,000. How is that faster growing jackpot? You said something to the effect of, the jackpot is expected to increase from $158,000 to $225,000. It's not looking that way so far. Personally I'll be using the cash 5 $$ on SC lottery.NC Lottery
We were referring to the *average* jackpot that is won increasing from $158,000 to $225,000.

5/15/2016 03:05 - jeremy a.

Yea I play cash 5 every day and have hit 4 out of 5 in the last year and a half. If i would have been playing the last 5 years would have hit all 5 one time. But I'm done playing now u won't get my 10 a day on this no more. I see this really not working. Whoever came up with this needs to be fired.

5/15/2016 01:05 - David B.

Checked new odds for c5. 2 of 5 from 9.6 to 10.5 .3 of 5 103 to 119. 4 of 5 3,387 to 4,165 . With same payout same! NCEL has a real joke ! Are u afraid to let the people of NC have a little of our money! NC just moved from 40 to 41 in teacher pay scale ! Good job. NCEL! Teachers have to buy school supplies each year with their own money!! U should be embarrassed !!!NC Lottery
Cash 5 will still pay out the same percentage in prizes as it used to. The average jackpot that is won will just be larger. We appreciate that players and local stores help us raise more than half a billion a year for education. We do not make decisions about what specific programs receive lottery funds, or broader decisions about funding education.

5/15/2016 12:44 - carolyn b.

@MATTH459 YES IN VA YOU CAN PLAY FOR 25CENTS..BUT THE TICKET HAS 2 ADD UP TO 1.00....YOU GET 1 NUMBER FOR 1.00 2 NUMBERS FOR 50 CENTS 4 NUMBERS FOR 25 CENTS PLAY....SO YOU PLAY FOR 100 THOUSND 50 THOUSAND OR 25 THOUSAND....TAKE YOUR PICK......ITS SOOOOOO MUCH BETTER HEN NC NEW CASH5 !!!!!!!!!!

5/15/2016 12:43 - ellery s.

I share the sentiment of the majority, need to up the lower the lesser prizes,and the state slow down their rate of greedNC Lottery
NC Lottery
The game will continue to pay out the same percentage of prize money. It will just lead to jackpots that get bigger, faster. Players of jackpot games like to play for big jackpots and that's what these changes will lead to.

5/15/2016 09:08 - carolyn b.

WELL IF I HAD MY FAVORITE NUMBERS IN ON FEB 13TH I WOULD HAVE WON 218.00.....COULD HAVE USED IT....THAT WAS MY LAST CHANCE 2 WINNNNNNNNN ON THOSE NUMBERS.......NEW CHANGE....NOOOOOOO CHANCE

5/15/2016 08:21 - Randall B.

The odds in Favor of the state as usual,lm with everyone else raise the lower tiers , l recently moved here & am a frequent player but will not play as much, I suggest you raise the starting play up too 100,000 a day, Like in Georgia sales Tripled & people were excited about it !!! Or just try it out Temporarily man it appears Ncl is getting like PB &MM making the odds harder for ppl too win !!!! Just Sayin ..,,

5/15/2016 03:29 - William H.

No NCEL I'm sorry to inform u we won't Be enjoying the new cash 5 I'm considering Taking my $ to VA where u can play There cash5 for a quarter!!! And there Odds are less than half of what NC cash5 Odds are you suck NCEL

5/14/2016 09:26 - NORA D.

Those jackpots won't grow with less tickets being sold...IF I play, it won't be very much....NCEL, your greed is too obvious. Not one positive comment on the previous blog, and you ignore/alienate your player base....the players voted against it with their comments, now see them vote with their wallet..NC Lottery
The game will continue to pay out the same percentage of prize money. It will just lead to jackpots that get bigger, faster. Players of jackpot games like to play for big jackpots and that's what these changes will lead to.

5/14/2016 09:25 - Roger K.

Really hate to see the changes on this game, my favorite game to play! But LFL has it now! I had two numbers right, and won 3 dollars, compare to the Cash 5 with two numbers right and only win one dollar! Big difference on the winning amount! I'm not ruling out not to play Cash 5, but will play it less, with only my special numbers. Maybe the Cash 5 will change the money amounts later on. But I'm not holding my breath on it to do that! Glad AON is stopping, could never win nothing on that game, just like i'm not winning any on the other games either![cash5 or LFL] But did win a dollar here and a dollar there. But when i do win, i hope it will be a big win! Good Luck all....

5/14/2016 07:22 - justin f.

Why not make a game of 20 balls, match 5 and win. Entry $100. Let people win something dang! Quit take take taking or one day the people will take back what is rightfully theirs.

5/14/2016 05:45 - Tim E.

I don't like it, I would rather see more people have a chance at winning less than fewer winning more.

5/14/2016 04:47 - Nayya B.

Instead of trying to grower a bigger jackpot, which would mean more revenue for the lottery, why not get more people to play by adding an additional daily draw for the game. Just a thought, from a players perspective of course.

5/14/2016 03:57 - Charlotte R.

Do not like the new odds. Won't be playing Curious about what others think of this...

5/14/2016 03:36 - carolyn b.

WELL JUST MY LUCK I DIDNT GET MY FAVORITE NUMBERS IN B4 THE STUPID STUPID CHANGE.....IF I HAD MY NUMBERS IN ON FRIDAY 13TH I WOULD HAVE HAD 4 OUT OF 5 WON 218.00.....I COULD HAVE USED ....THAT WAS MY LAST CHANCE 2 EVERRRRRR WIN ANYTHING ON THOSE NUMBERS......PLZZZZZ FIRE THOSE STUPID IDIOTS THAT CAME UP WITH THE CHANGE......

5/14/2016 03:29 - Stephanie G.

Great!!!

5/14/2016 02:15 - marvin p.

ill let u know when i win!!

5/14/2016 01:04 - John l.

I wasn't aware of the changes until I tired to renew my ticket for the next 7 days. Will multi draw tickets still be available under the new Cash 5?NC Lottery
Yes. Starting today you can buy multi-draw again. Because the game was changing, advance plays had to be limited for a period of time.

5/14/2016 01:02 - William K.

Enjoy?? I think you're underestimating the number of people playing cash five on a daily basis who enjoy the odds the way they are, I think you should have at least one game that has frequent, But smaller prizes, there are a lot of people out there that even the smallest cash five prize of $50,000 would be a blessing! I don't know about anyone else, but this seven day a week cash five player is now bowing out, I will no longer play cash five, increasing the odds so there are fewer winners just so you can have bigger jackpots down the road for one person to win shows that you're only estimating higher profits from the surge of players as the jackpots get higher. It's been fun, but after seven years, bye-bye cash five!

5/14/2016 12:16 - Irwin F.

You should also raise the middle prizes. Too hard to get anything decent as it is.

5/14/2016 12:11 - Amanda G.

I will win my first NCEL jackpot!!!

5/14/2016 11:53 - William D.

Pay Outs for 2,3, & 4 Remains the SAME????? pay out should increase for lower numbers so people will like it better when they do Hit a Little. take a Survey and you will see a lot of people AGREE with this logic. Be nice to take a survey to see what people will like instead 0f Making it Harder and Less Winners.

5/14/2016 11:48 - Barbara B.

GREAT I WANT TO WIN

5/14/2016 11:19 - lisa d.

Hope we're all winners

5/14/2016 11:09 - Dawn G.

Making it harder to win is hardly a good change...just saying!

5/14/2016 11:05 - Franklin H.

Sounds to me it is a better chance for the state to make more and us players less of a chance. I play it a lot and have only hit 4 out of 5 once and hardly won anything. Right now the game sucks and to me sounds like getting worst. Should make it easier to win not harder. I play the easy match and have only won $10 once all other is a $2 win I have decided to stop playing that game thanks

5/14/2016 10:57 - Schmeka w.

Yes

5/14/2016 10:39 - Nancy A.

That stinks. One of the reasons I play Carolina Cash 5 is because the odds are more favorable. Now I will think twice.

5/14/2016 10:37 - Anthony W.

that don't make the game any better I think it time to save my money and stop playing cash 5 byby

5/14/2016 09:59 - David W.

I no longer waste my time with Cash 5, maybe now I will, ha, yeah right! Players, if you really want to burn a big hole through your wallet, buy the new Inferno Cash game, and leave the store penniless!

5/14/2016 09:44 - Antoine W.

Thank You Very Much!

5/14/2016 09:36 - Stephen R.

The prize amounts for 2 3 4 numbers should go up as well , even if just a little bit , make it more fun ...right .....don't be cheep on us .

5/14/2016 09:00 - Michael H.

Bring it on! I see a 'big win' in my future!

5/14/2016 08:39 - Claude W.

So you are making it harder to win the largest jackpot and leaving the smaller prizes at the cheap low level. You need to take a look at S.C. Prize payout for cash 5. You need to use Power Up feature.

5/14/2016 08:33 - bill r.

BIGGER JACPOTS,GREAT!

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New version of Carolina Cash 5 starts Sunday

May 14, 2016 Posted by NC Lottery at 8:08 AM

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