Charlotte man wins ‘Ultimate’ $1 million second-chance prize

December 1, 2017 Posted by NC Lottery at 3:03 PM

Eric Blankenship of Charlotte had luck on his side when he won $1 million in the lottery’s Ultimate Millions second-chance drawing.

He claimed his prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. He had the choice of taking a $1 million annuity that has 20 payments of $50,000 a year or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum. After required state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $417,006.

Blankenship’s entry was drawn from more than 1.5 million entries in the Nov. 22 drawing. His win is the last of three second-chance drawings associated with the Ultimate Millions game. The drawing also awarded ten prizes of $5,000 and 25 prizes of $500.

The Ultimate Millions game started in 2015. Since all three second-chance prizes and all of the game’s top prizes have been claimed, the lottery is taking steps to end the game.

Ticket sales from instant games like Ultimate Millions make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $600 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in Mecklenburg County, click on the “For Education” section of the lottery’s website.

29 COMMENTS

3/30/2019 07:50 - Tina T.

I think that the taxing in 1 million dollars is ridiculous

2/19/2019 03:15 - larry H.

I need towin

1/02/2018 10:19 - Michael D.

When is the extreme millions 2nd chance drawing, and why can’t I find it on this new app?? NC Lottery
Look under the Draws icon on your app. This icon takes you to a page with tabs for Lucke-Rewards and Second Chance drawings where you can see your drawing entry history and much more. The Extreme Millions second-chance drawing will be under the Second Chance tab. By default, you will see your active drawings. However, if you uncheck the “My Entries” box, you will see all active drawings. If you want to see all or expired drawings, you can use the drop down menu on the top right of the screen to choose one of those options.

12/08/2017 12:57 - Lantino G.

This new app thing is a bit more difficult to navigate and find out how to view certain things like winners from various places on various scatch offs. How do we view all winners on all current scratch offs and whete it was sold?? NC Lottery
From the app itself, you can see winners of Lucke-Rewards and second-chance drawings. You see those by clicking on the Draws icon. You can view winners of draw games and instant tickets from our website which is mobile friendly. So just use the browser on your phone to go to the nclottery.com and then look under the WIN tab. Our website is mobile friendly so the info there shows up easy to read on your phone.

12/05/2017 10:45 - John S.

Nice win!!

12/05/2017 09:52 - Brian S.

I see comments seeming to indicate that people have ostensibly spent as much as 30,000 on tickets for this game. PT Barnum had a name for people like that. Get yourself a small business, pedigreed dogs, something... If you've got 30 Grand to blow on tickets you DON'T need to. Easier, surefire ways to make that much money work for you!

12/05/2017 02:17 - Larry M.

One day! Im keeping the faith!

12/04/2017 07:02 - Kwane B.

That's a GOOOOD THING TO FINALLY BE FINANCIAL FREE!!!!!!

12/03/2017 09:10 - judy w.

Congratulations to the winners i would like to see a winner in hiddiente nc

12/03/2017 07:19 - Phyllis N.

Congrats to all the winners~especially the big one from Charlotte. That being said, NCEL, I have to ask, why in the world have you issued a HUGE environmentally challenging ticket like the Big Money??? I mean really,4 games can fit on a regular size $10 ticket, or at the most a $20 one. In my humble opinion, this is an inconsiderate decision. Any of the monies gain from selling, should go towards raising awareness about ecology, starting with the staff who chose this albatross.

12/03/2017 03:05 - Toro M.

Last I looked I had 238 entries for this drawing. Now for Extreme millions it's showing I have 39. Which is incorrect. I just entered 39 today. All my other entries are not showing with this new ap. Making me wonder if my entriee for the ultimate millions draw was even really entered. NC Lottery
If you call 1-855-767-1863 someone should be able to help you figure out what's going on with your entries.

12/03/2017 01:58 - Jonathan B.

I bought one of those big super tickets yesterday and won $50 but the machine scanner said it was not a winner. I live in King NC and someone just told me at the retailer that it has happened to several people besides me. And it has been on the same ticket. Can someone reach out to me and let me know what to do? Thanks NC Lottery
Jonathan-As the new Big Money Super Ticket went on sale, it was discovered that two levels of prizes in the game, the $30 and $50 prizes, are not being recognized by the lottery’s gaming system. A fix is underway and the issue will be corrected quickly. All prizes will be paid. Any player with a ticket with a $30 or $50 prize should sign the back of their ticket and return to any lottery retailer after Monday to collect their prize.

12/03/2017 01:35 - JULIA J.

Can you provide name and location of the retailers that still have Ultimate Millions tickets available NC Lottery
Because all of the top prizes have been claimed, the lottery is taking steps to end the game and collect the remaining tickets. In order to find out what games a retailer offers, you need to call them and they can tell you.

12/03/2017 11:42 - Deloris C.

Where can you see list winners for additional 25 winners, I used to be able to see it under draws for Ultimate millions, new site doesn't show drawing for Ultimate. NC Lottery
Deloris-You can see who won the drawing by going to the "User Dashboard" and going to the "Draw" icon. Make sure the box that says "My Drawings" is unchecked. You should be able to see a list of winners.

12/03/2017 08:56 - Lisa K.

I agree. Extreme Millions hasn't been paying out to me in winnings like Ultimate did. But I figure they can't keep hoarding all the winners at Lottery headquarters forever. Pretty soon they'll get out there :)

12/03/2017 08:41 - Chris I.

I had almost 1000 entries for this drawing and didn't win a thing, wow what do you have to do to win something? NC Lottery
The odds for second-chance drawings vary depending on how many entries there are. For the Ultimate Millions drawing, the lottery had more than 1.5 million entries. Please remember each time you play is a unique time. Whether you have won before or not won before does not make it more likely or less likely that you will win the next time.

12/03/2017 12:28 - linda p.

When your Blessings come to you it doesn't matter where you live it will just be your time to be Bless. Congratulation to all the winners may u have a many more.

12/02/2017 11:59 - Candice W.

CONGRATULATIONS!!

12/02/2017 11:44 - velrice w.

Once you enter your tickets in the second chance do you need to keep them or throw them away can I please get a response back about this. NC Lottery
Sure. You do not need to keep your ticket after entering it for second-chance drawings.

12/02/2017 09:25 - Richard M.

Charlotte area winning again - I had a bunch of entries, guess I lost. Just played $50 - 30-10-2's - as usual, ALL LOSERS. Extreme Millions is the biggest ripoff. You do not win like Ultimate Millions.

12/02/2017 07:51 - Chastity F.

I'm still believe I'm gonna hit 10,000 that I dreamed of.

12/02/2017 03:34 - Donna G.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!?? Happy for you?

12/02/2017 03:14 - Henry B.

There is always a degree of resistance to change and a learning gap between the old and the new. The old system was far more customer friendlier than this new system. This system unfairly impact the joy of playing the NCEL. I question if the staff whom developed the new system are Lottery Players.

12/02/2017 02:18 - shelton c.

Winner is always in a small town down east

12/02/2017 09:23 - valerie p.

God bless you

12/02/2017 08:19 - Bijaya c.

Congratulations to all the winners.

12/02/2017 02:26 - Chavelia T.

Congrats winner, I was also looking for the winner to be from the Raleigh area. So nice to see Charlotte get a few more crumpets.

12/01/2017 06:32 - Vashanda W.

I always check to see where the winner is from. I haven't known any Charlotte resident to win. Congratulations to the winner!!!

12/01/2017 04:16 - Billy S.

Congratulations to the winner, but like usual I would have never in a million years dreamed the winner would come from Charlotte!! Can’t believe it’s not Raleigh area!!

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Charlotte man wins ‘Ultimate’ $1 million second-chance prize

December 1, 2017 Posted by NC Lottery at 3:03 PM

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