What's it like to scratch off a $10 million prize?

September 30, 2016 Posted by NC Lottery at 1:21 PM

David Winstead of Nashville was sitting in his truck outside the store where he bought his scratch-offs, playing the way he always does: Two tickets at a time. The prize he saw on one of his Ultimate Millions tickets, however, isn't one you see every day. He won $10 million. “I couldn’t believe it,” Winstead said. “I knew it was real, but it was a shock.”

He and his wife are going to use their prize money make home improvements, set up college funds for their grandchildren, and donate to their church. And the good fortune means a dream Winstead has always had could come true: Fishing in the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament at Morehead City.

Winstead wasn't the only big winner from the small town of Nashville this week. Shelton Williams became the first to win the top prize playing the new $250,000 Platinum Payout game. He bought his winning ticket at the L&L Food Store on Hunter Hill Road in Rocky Mount.

Big Winners

For Steven Tuttle of Flat Rock, the recent gas shortage almost cost him $1 million. At first he drove past the store where he usually fills up, but when he saw that the price of gas had come down he turned around and went back - and picked up a $1,000,000 Bonus Cash scratch-off. He won the game's top prize. Tuttle said he'd use his prize money to pay off his house.

A couple from Goldsboro are the latest to win $750,000 playing Jumbo Bucks. William and kay Wells bought their lucky ticket at the Kangaroo Express on Spence Avenue in their hometown.

Claribel Then of Raleigh won a $99,092 share of the $297,276 Sept. 23 Cash 5 jackpot. Two other tickets, worth $99,092 each, were sold at the Star Market on Market Street in Smithfield and at the Rite Aid on Main Street in King.

Four players won $50,000 prizes:

- Ethel Shadrach of Youngsville (Sept. 21 Powerball draw)
- Stephen Darr of Lexington ($50,000 Platinum Payout)
- Keji Dickerson of Raleigh (Sept. 24 Cash 5 draw)
- Guy Jividen of Fayetteville (Sept. 24 Powerball draw)

Four more scratched their way to $10,000 wins:

- Pamela Mickey of Lexington ($4,000,000 Multiplier Spectacular)
- Helen Ford of Fayetteville ($1,000,000 Bonus Cash)
- Ludy Perez Godines of Angier (Ruby Red 7's)
- Patsy Bridges of Wagram ($250,000 Platinum Payout)

And 14 players won $5,000. They are from: Bladenboro, Charlotte, Creedmoor, Elizabeth City, Fayetteville, Graham, Greenville, Kenly, Mooresville, Pinehurst, Plymouth, Stanley, Walnut Cove, and West End.

Big wins like these made this month a September to remember. We'll see what kind of lottery luck October has in store for North Carolina.

48 COMMENTS

10/07/2016 08:26 - Mike S.

I would but the results of my analysis would just be swept under the rug. BTW if I did apply it would be for the Executive Director's position...LOL!

10/06/2016 01:21 - Tony T.

87superglide said 87superglide said : "Maybe I'll apply for the Data Analyst position that NCEL has open."******************* I think you should, heck...by now they should've asked you if you wanted the job !

10/06/2016 10:37 - Mike S.

Maybe I'll apply for the Data Analyst position that NCEL has open.

10/06/2016 07:16 - Mike S.

LZ, I read that article and it's "company speak". It says "Lottery security officials look for unusual patterns in their work too. If an analysis concluded that the odds were too great for multiple wins to occur, key questions would be what assumptions about the frequency of play and the money spent on those purchases were used." A person who has 53 wins from 2 stores averaging 1 every 46 days doesn't trigger that "the odds were too great for multiple wins to occur"? I flagged it long ago and I don’t have access to the information your security folks have – just a man and a spreadsheet. I'd like to know what those odds are that gets the NCEL's attention or is it just a blind eye? NCEL has at least 21 personnel that, by their title, have some part of analysis, security or investigations but not one raises a flag about the information the Observer exposed? I guess we are to just believe the Executive Director’s statement to the Observer “I’ve just decided there are lucky people in this world”.

10/05/2016 02:41 - Lakisha T.

Will NCEL offer cash 5 in the day drawings. I played it in VA, and I like how you can play both day and nightNC Lottery
There are not plans at this time to add an afternoon Cash 5 drawing.

10/05/2016 10:13 - Tony T.

87superglide said : "I researched one person who has 53 scratch off wins from two stores in Durham (36 from one store and 17 from another). That person is a business owner, but not a retail store owner. This person would have to have spend over $1M to win 53 times which I doubt that very seriously and this smacks of money laundering" ********** Again, good detective work superglide ! We can only HOPE that the vending machines going in at all retail stores will help curb this seemingly illicit activity. However, not so sure since the retailers will have to load/unload the machines but hoping it will help some ( a LOT ) !

10/05/2016 09:45 - NC Lottery

@ SUPERGLIDE - We have as strong a security system in place as any lottery in the country, and we're always working to make it better. Here are some additional things to consider: http://bit.ly/2dxc73r

10/05/2016 09:13 - Mike S.

So the Observer article validates what I've been saying all along. And the response from the NCEL further supports the Observer's view that the NCEL does not take it seriously, the response says if they see anything suspicious they investigate. Well someone winning multiple times at the same store (calculated at 1 - 1 trillion odds), every couple of months for years on end would trigger an inquiry for sure, but not from the NCEL. Not necessarily all are store owners, and it's hard to track down who are the store owners especially for franchise and chain stores, and the fact that many store owners are not the Registered Agent for the company. Using the NC Secretary of State Business database, I researched one person who has 53 scratch off wins from two stores in Durham (36 from one store and 17 from another). That person is a business owner, but not a retail store owner. This person would have to have spend over $1M to win 53 times which I doubt that very seriously and this smacks of money laundering.

10/05/2016 06:12 - Linda S.

Been waiting 10 years in Raeford NC for cash 5!Will I ever win??????

10/04/2016 06:20 - Aleshia J.

Congrats to all Tabor City, Chadbourn or Columbus County needs a big winner; me.

10/03/2016 02:10 - Tony T.

Lucke-Zone Replied In general it's our understanding that a person's annual income can impact their eligibility for benefits. For more information you could ask someone at the Dept. of Health & Human Services. ******************************************* ok, thank you ! Was not asking for myself, personally, but was just wondering ( I have an overworked inquiring mind at times, lol ) and figured maybe some other folks here would like to know also.NC Lottery
:-)

10/03/2016 01:10 - henrietta m.

cmon now give me a chance at the warehouse dash PLEEZe.......

10/03/2016 11:27 - Tony T.

Lucke-Zone Replied: "Receiving social security benefits, being on disability or other forms of assistance do not affect a person's eligiblity to claim a lottery prize." Oh, and I fully understand that it does not affect them being able to CLAIM a prize but was just wondering how, if when one wins a big sum of $$, will it affect their receiving gov. benefits, like with the food stamp situation? ( benefits vs. debt situations like back taxes, child support ,etc ) NC Lottery
In general it's our understanding that a person's annual income can impact their eligibility for benefits. For more information you could ask someone at the Dept. of Health & Human Services.

10/03/2016 10:45 - Tony T.

Lucke-Zone Replied If a winner is from out of state, he or she will not be double-taxed. Receiving social security benefits, being on disability or other forms of assistance do not affect a person's eligiblity to claim a lottery prize. If someone owes a debt to the state, the lottery is required by law to withhold that amount from the after-tax prize awarded.****************************** ok, thanks a lot but the state does not hold back on certain benefits if someone wins a large amount, like food stamps? I swear I heard something about that happening not too long ago. oh wait... here we go... http://www.wral.com/new-welfare-reform-bill-targets-lottery-winners/15764108 I guess it just depends on how much someone in that situation wins and what income bracket it throws them in , correct?

10/03/2016 10:07 - Tony T.

curious LZ, if a player from out of state wins a big prize in NC do they pay taxes on that prize in our state AND the state they reside in ? Also...if a winner is on social security disability does the gov. interfere with the winner receiving those benefits at all for a set amount of time ? I think I read somewhere food stamp recips. are affected for a while (until the gov. figures when their winnings prob. have all been used up or whatever ) but wasn't sure about any other benefits being affected that one may be receiving per social security, medicare, Medicaid etc.NC Lottery
If a winner is from out of state, he or she will not be double-taxed. Receiving social security benefits, being on disability or other forms of assistance do not affect a person's eligiblity to claim a lottery prize. If someone owes a debt to the state, the lottery is required by law to withhold that amount from the after-tax prize awarded.

10/03/2016 06:16 - olethia b.

Congrats to all. Hope I'm next in line for a big win.

10/02/2016 10:49 - carolyn b.

HOPE THAT ISNT GOING 2B THE NEW MAP 4 SHOWING WINNERS IN THE STATE

10/02/2016 09:34 - Roger K.

Been lots of winners coming from Rocky Mount, NC here lately! Wondering how long had that ticket been in that store, or wondering if it was a fresh order of new Ultimate Millions tickets the store just got in. Guess we will never know, when the store ordered them. David Harris won the second 10 million dollar prize and now David Winstead won the third prize. I Wonder what the odds are for two $10 million winners coming from the same county? Wondering where o where the last 10 million will show up at! I Like the new logo, but i do miss the lighthouse that was on the old logo! congrats to all the winners, and good luck to all the losers!

10/02/2016 09:31 - james c.

Correction to previous posting ,design a scratch off ticket with higher winning odds that will pay a minimum payout of 5 times the nomination played (no break even or lesser amounts included in batch .In other words ,the player select his winning odds .This should prove to be a strong seller for players playing Lottery for a gainful win .

10/02/2016 09:22 - charles m.

Why has it never been an african American to win 10 million On any scratch off ticket?NC Lottery
A lottery ticket doesn't know who will buy it, and we don't know who a big winner is until they show up at our claims office. So far, Ultimate Millions is the only game we've had that has a $10 million top prize. One of the three $10 million winners who have claimed so far, David Hopkins, happens to be African-American. Here's his story: http://bit.ly/2dmv0c0

10/02/2016 09:18 - Larry S.

Has anyone ever won 500or250 on ez match on cash five NC Lottery
It happens all the time. Because the prize is less than $600, the lottery doesn't know the identity of the winners :)

10/02/2016 04:40 - lisa f.

Good luck to everyone!??????

10/02/2016 04:22 - lisa p.

Noel stinks! I haven't won anything over the price of the ticket in awhile and I have tried everyday. I spend $50 or more at a time and don't win anything back. Don't say its luck! You can't have luck if there's nothing to win! Scratchoffs aren't worth the paper they're printed on!

10/02/2016 02:43 - Donnell G.

I just to say thanks to the education lottery for sharing the winners from these scratch off tickets. That being said, i will not buy those tickets for awhile. There will be a lot of losers for those now.

10/02/2016 01:42 - William G.

I have been very impressed by the week long series on NCEL corruption and fraud by The Charlotte Observer. I doubt that the NCEL will post my comments as this is the 3rd time I have posted and been ignored. Transparency is very lacking with the NCEL. http://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/special-reports/against-all-odds/article103036107.htmlNC Lottery
As long as comments do not violate our community standards, we post them, even those that are critical of the lottery. Here is some additional information to consider when reading the reports recently published: http://bit.ly/2dxc73r

10/02/2016 01:37 - Jake M.

Has anyone west of Asheville ever won any sizeable amount. NC Lottery
Definitely. Just about a month ago we had a $1 million winner from Murphy. That's about as far west as you can get without going to Tennessee! :) Here's his story: http://bit.ly/2cK52Pe

10/02/2016 11:33 - Misty F.

Good job people. Keep scratching:-)

10/02/2016 09:58 - Tony T.

Winner2B said :" Also it would be nice to have a claim center location in Fayetteville" ************************** There prob. should be if the wins keep up like they have been , have been noticing a "LOT" of winners from there.******************** stevenraider said: "just like always no winners from Asheboro"******** There have been plenty of winners in Asheboro,(at a particular family run store w/that family winning a lot, for instance ). Just google Asheboro then add the words north Carolina lottery to that and you will find many winners. Hey, heres a good article everyone should read ! Copy and paste : http://www.courier-tribune.com/news/20160930/some-nc-lottery-players-win-so-often-are-they-gaming-system

10/01/2016 05:35 - steven m.

just like always no winners from asheboro

10/01/2016 03:27 - Harold w.

I can't seem to get an answer to my question on how the pass Dash winners did in dollars and cents?NC Lottery
The value of the trip itself is $4,084 and the prize includes the minimum state and federal taxes paid. On the merchandise, it's our understanding that an average Dash participant gets around $8,000 worth of stuff! :-D

10/01/2016 11:56 - William D.

Hope the new map is not a change to show Winners. Like the other map with the highways, nicer to look at and better way to see locations of winners. Also it would be nice to have a claim center location in Fayetteville. NC Lottery
Thanks for feedback. Just trying to mix it up and keep the visuals fresh for you all.

10/01/2016 11:11 - Martha S.

Congratulations to all, and to mom whose son is happy and laughs and smiles every day, blessed are you, hope you wil to get lift van God Bless all keep smiling and winnings to all

10/01/2016 10:02 - Sandra M.

Don't see many winners from outer banks area? Know we have lots of stores selling ? Maybe dirtier will bring us some big winners ? Good luck everyone !!

10/01/2016 08:48 - ronald b.

Keep on wining n, c.

10/01/2016 08:38 - Annie G.

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL THE WINNERS. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A WIN, IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A MILLON.

10/01/2016 01:13 - Angela C.

can every player pray for my son to win so i can get him a van with a lift . he is 17 can not walk or talk but have a walker he can walk with it he can say hey to everybody mostly the lady .please dont feel said cause he is very happy smile and laugh everyday.i love you nikko from mom no matther what

10/01/2016 12:49 - Ellyn H.

Congrats!!! To all the winners Enjoy your many many BLESSINGS

10/01/2016 12:21 - Tonya S.

Congrats to all winners rub some luck this way !!! Lol

9/30/2016 11:17 - Gladys F.

I would love to win a winning scratch off ticket because I lost my sister earlier this year in February due to kidney failure she was a Dallas Cowboys fan and in honor of her I would like to take my nieces and nephew along with her two children and go out to Dallas for a game and have T-shirts and memories of her if I could win a winning scratch off ticket that would be wonderful

9/30/2016 11:09 - shirley b.

No quad yet. NC it has been over 3 years since we hhad a quad. Hope someone gets it whenever itRANDOMLY comes out!!!#!

9/30/2016 11:06 - Tameka R.

I'm next in line to win a large sum. Congrats to all the winners as well. We deserve it

9/30/2016 10:26 - james c.

Design a scratch off ticket with a sight winning odds that will pay no less than 5xnomination played for a win(break even tickets in batch ).This ticket should prove a strong seller .

9/30/2016 08:32 - Leroy T.

Congratulations to all the winners especially Helen Ford of Fayetteville

9/30/2016 07:08 - Allen M.

On a different topic...why are the colors of the bonus balls different on the Lucke-zone than on the actual ones that are drawn live? Shouldn't the colors match? NC Lottery
Good morning, Zyde. Not sure what you are seeing or mean by bonus balls. Could you be more specific and point out the web page where you see the difference. We'll check it out.

9/30/2016 07:02 - connie b.

any south Carolina winners at all? NC Lottery
In our weekly report on wins, we are looking for wins of $5,000 plus. This week, none were from South Carolina residents who bought tickets in North Carolina, but in other weeks there have been.

9/30/2016 03:47 - Tony T.

I would NOT know, lol but congrats ! Here I am tickled if I scratch 10 bucks on a 10 buck ticket or less.

9/30/2016 03:47 - David L.

Congratulations

9/30/2016 02:56 - Cathy B.

Congratulations to Everyone

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What's it like to scratch off a $10 million prize?

September 30, 2016 Posted by NC Lottery at 1:21 PM

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