$4 million prize stuns Lincoln County winner

January 20, 2017 Posted by NC Lottery at 9:39 AM

Six players won major lottery prizes this week, including the first to win $4 million in the $4,000,000 Platinum Payout game.

The $4 million winner is Lincoln County resident Brenda Vinsant. She bought a $4,000,000 Platinum Payout ticket at Sam's Mart on N.C. 16 in her hometown of Denver. When she scratched the ticket, she couldn't believe her eyes. "I was stunned," Vinsant recalled. Two top prizes of $4 million and three prizes of $1 million are still in the game.

Two of the three players who won a share of a Cash 5 jackpot worth more than $1 million have collected their $335,141 share of the prize money.

For Lisa Williard of Harmony, it was the second time she has had jackpot-winning luck playing Cash 5. Back in April of 2008, she won $363,041. Andrew Boris, a Navy veteran from Pineville, said he planned to buy a new SUV with his winnings.

The third lucky ticket for the Jan. 12 drawing was sold at Stanleyville Grocery on North Patterson Avenue in Winston-Salem.

A Charlotte woman won the top prize of $200,000 in the $200,000 Triple Play game. Maria Quinteros bought her ticket at the Circle K on Docia Cross Road in Charlotte. One top prize remains in the game.

Three players won $150,000 instantly. For Clayvon Ruff of Gastonia, it was a ticket for the Crossword Connect game that spelled his big win. Alyssa Ellington of Henderson landed on the prize playing Wheel of Fortune. And Bridgette Tran celebrated good luck thanks to a Holiday Riches ticket.

Big Winners

Five players won $50,000:

- Samson Ajibola of McLeansville (Extreme Millions)
- Carl Foskey of Winnabow (12/24 Powerball draw)
- Chin Houston of Fayetteville (1/11 Powerball draw)
- Donzell Lewis of Louisburg ($200 Million Blowout)
- Demetrius Scott of Supply (Junior Big Ol' Bucks)

Joseph Tyson of Ramseur became the first player to win the top prize of $20,000 on a $2 Funky 5's ticket. There are three more top prizes in the game.

Six players scratched their way to $10,000:

- Christopher Cole of Fayetteville ($250,000 Platinum Payout)
- Santana Enselmo of Ayden (Loteria)
- Stephen Gupton of Franklinton (Ruby Red 7's)
- Jason Hansley of Currie (Ruby Red 7's)
- Nichols Hawkins of Burlington (Mega Fortune)
- Jason Spell of Lexington (Carolina Millions)

Fifteen players won $5,000. Two of them are from Gastonia. The other 13 are from: Asheboro, Dudley, Elizabeth City, Forest City, Greensboro, Hickory, Jacksonville, Lexington, McLeansville, Monroe, Morehead City, Thurmond, and Williamston.

Last but not least, there are three big jackpots up for grabs as we head into the weekend. Going into Friday night's drawings, the Carolina Cash 5 jackpot stands at $437,000. And the estimated jackpot annuity for Mega Millions is $162 million with a $98.4 million cash option. Then, in Saturday's Powerball drawing, players have the chance to win a $153 million annuity, worth $93.5 million cash. So we'll be watching with all of you to see what happens.

Until next time, have a fun and safe weekend.

24 COMMENTS

1/21/2017 08:50 - Gayzelle C.

First, I want to congratulate ALL the winners!! Second, I want to vent my frustrations as to why there are not a lot of winning tickets located in Durham, NC and why so many are fortunate to have multiple wins. It appears that tickets are going to the lower income counties and that is not fair because they should be distributed equally as we ALL participate in purchasing tickets. JMHO NC Lottery
Instant tickets are distributed randomly across the state to the 6,850 retail locations that sell lottery tickets. The lottery doesn't knows which tickets has prizes. Overtime, Durham has had lots of big winners. Here is a Google search to help you see some recent winners. http://bit.ly/2iNdp0C

1/21/2017 08:32 - Trisha F.

Where can I find multiplier spectacular scratchers? i travel around NC for work and for weeks now, have not been able to find the scratcher for sale. NC Lottery
The game is almost completely sold out. So they are hard to find. Perhaps you want to check out some of our newer games that also offer some great prizes.

1/21/2017 08:31 - Cathleen J.

Money money money money

1/21/2017 08:03 - lisa p.

Here's the rundown on scratchoffs: Buy 8 in a row of any ticket and you will win the price of the ticket back. Or if you're really "lucky" you could win anywhere from $10 to $20. Never any good winners unless you are a jackpot winner. I think most players are tired of the same old, same old. It's almost as hard to win $50 to $100 as it is a top prize! This lottery needs a serious makeover.

1/21/2017 02:42 - Glenn B.

Another 2 time winner. So many multiple winners and no winning for a lot of other people that play just as much. Two time cash 5 winner odds 1 in 750000. I play that game daily and the most I ever have got is 3 numbers for $4. So rigged. NC Lottery
Our winner won in 2008 and then again in 2017. Please keep in mind that every Cash 5 drawing is independent of the other. And if someone wins a jackpot once, and decides to try again, that entry has the same odds of winning as every other entry.

1/21/2017 12:43 - DJ M.

Question: My very first Cash 5 ticket I ever purchased (retail) rewarded me with 4 out of 5. A few months later....same thing, another 4 out of 5, and once again a retail purchase. My subscriptions have never yielded more 2 out than 5. Have subscribers ever won any jackpots? It always seems like it's some guy who stopped for gas and said what the heck..... NC Lottery
Thank you for trying our subscription service. Yes. We've had a Cash 5 ticket purchased through subscription to win a jackpot. However you buy your ticket, retail or subscription, each entry has the chance of winning. Good luck to you, however you play.

1/20/2017 10:10 - Bobby B.

???when i scan my tickets does that automatically sign me up for second chance. And can i use my points for anything else NC Lottery
Only if you see "Second Chance Game" at top of the ticket. But you do get points for each qualifying ticket that you enter and then you choose which promotions you want to enter using your points. You can learn more about Lucke-Rewards on our Help page at https://www.lucke-zone.com/Help.aspx

1/20/2017 09:57 - Gregory F.

I wish I could win something.ln hertfordco

1/20/2017 09:23 - doneil w.

Need a big win ????????

1/20/2017 09:15 - jackie w.

way to go Brenda

1/20/2017 07:46 - Haley B.

Never in New Bern , I hope to change that !

1/20/2017 06:05 - Ricky S.

Any news yet on when the app will be available to scan cards to see if they are winners. We keep being told it would be after Dec. and now Jan. will soon be over. NC Lottery
We wish it was already on your smartphone. :) This year the lottery is upgrading its entire gaming system so things are taking a bit longer than we had hoped. When it is all done, we hope you like the improvements, including the new app. So stay tuned.

1/20/2017 05:30 - Casandra c.

Notice the area of big hits!

1/20/2017 05:10 - Brandon M.

Man i want to be a winner ....but congrats to all winners..

1/20/2017 04:59 - David R.

Question. Would it be possible for you guys to publish a list with the number of entries submitted for each second chance drawing held through Lucke Zone Rewards, that have already been drawn? NC Lottery
Good evening, Dave. Could you send in that request to Customer Service at playerinfo@lotterync.net, and specify the time period you are looking for.

1/20/2017 04:30 - Leroy T.

Good luck to all the runners unlucky John special the one from Fayetteville may God bless you

1/20/2017 03:55 - Rodney T.

Never really any winners in Central North Carolina. Look at the map it's all around it almost every week

1/20/2017 03:16 - Binbin S.

the capital of state, raleigh, always no jackpot and big winner. Poor city

1/20/2017 02:51 - Charles G.

Keep scratching good luck

1/20/2017 02:39 - Kim B.

Apparently the Patel family is winning multiple times on the Not so lucky zone, 5 times in less than a year, wow really lucky

1/20/2017 02:36 - Judy W.

Gotta keep playing.

1/20/2017 01:55 - Ryan c. H.

I wish I could win like that am disabled person am tired of the low income on disbltity of my type to live and normal to rich life would be miracles congraltions breada

1/20/2017 01:53 - Ellyn H.

Congratulations all Winners!!! And Good luck to all Future Winners as always "Count Your Blessings!!!"

1/20/2017 01:15 - Alan P.

How come nothing wins any more its very frustrating only big winners

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$4 million prize stuns Lincoln County winner

January 20, 2017 Posted by NC Lottery at 9:39 AM

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