Play at the Pump turns into $50,000 win

April 11, 2017 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:12 PM

It’s no joke, Suzanne Hanlin of Millers Creek won $50,000 on April Fools’ Day, after she decided to get a Powerball ticket while she was getting gas.

Hanlin bought the lucky ticket at the Murphy Express on U.S. 421 in Wilkesboro using Play at the Pump.

She beat the odds of 1 in 913,129 to win the prize in the April 1 drawing. She matched four of the five white balls and the red Powerball.

Hanlin runs a senior center in Wilkes. She was on her way to Miami when her husband told her the ticket was a winner.

She plans to use some of the money to get new patio furniture and have a big BBQ.

Congratulations to her, and remember your next chance to win playing Powerball is Wednesday. The jackpot is $60 million with a $36.9 million cash option.

55 COMMENTS

4/17/2017 04:12 - Dennis C.

I have found $500 on a $5 ticket in the garbage once. I have found several $100 winners. It blows my mind to this day. Amazing how folks get disheartened and don't pay enough attention. They are so used to losing they don't know how to win yet. Its sad but I am thankful those tickets didn't go to the dump.

4/15/2017 12:55 - Helen D.

When entering the Extreme Millions and Ultimate Millions, I have found that some points are worth the usual 30 points while others have been worth as much as 300 to 500 points. Can you explain why there is such a big difference in the points? Thanks.NC Lottery
Sure. Points are assigned randomly. That's make it more fun, the lottery hopes. The range from a $30 ticket should be between 30 points and 300 points. If someone got more than that, it would be due to a promotion that was held.

4/14/2017 01:46 - Jamel W.

Give your daily numbers players come credits or coupons every once and awhile. I've been playing d/n numbers 7 days a week from day one and would like a direct bonus at least once like the casinos do. The drawings are nice but yet to win 1!

4/14/2017 01:22 - Denver G.

On 4/13/2017 06:59, Player said I have a ticket I tried to enter and I cannot understand the letter if it's a J or an I and as I was trying them both. ***** Player, Just a thought thrown your way. There is no letter o used on draw tics just 0 "zero". I know there is a J & L , so I'm thinking that there is no letter I on the entry code. Makes sense to me. I looked back at my last 50 ticket entries & could not find an I on any of them. Have a happy Easter weekend. NC Lottery
Hey, Turbo. Always appreciate your help. The "I" can be used in the Ticket Entry Code. But you're right, the letter "O" is not used. So if the player tried "I" and it was an "I" then it should have worked.

4/13/2017 08:02 - Geraldine D.

waite on my blessing

4/13/2017 06:59 - Kasseme R.

I have a ticket I tried to enter and I cannot understand the letter if it's a J or an I and as I was trying them both I got locked out it says temporary or permanent because to many trys from inputting the ticket information in. Can you please check this and clear it so that I can finish loading my tickets thank you.NC Lottery
This is something you will need to contact tech support about. Please click on the HELP link at the top of the screen and fill out an ONLINE SUPPORT form. There is also a toll-free number you can call.

4/13/2017 06:27 - John J.

I have scratched dozens of the taxes paid tickets have got them from a bunch of different places here on the obx seems like all of the winners are out west! Send some good ones out way! This little strip of sand produces more tourist revenue than anywhere in the state.. good luck to you all I am waiting on my millionsNC Lottery
We hope your next ticket is a lucky one! :)

4/13/2017 05:30 - Frank L.

How's it done turbo you seem to have it figured out.

4/13/2017 02:23 - Annitte D.

I've never seen play at the pump before, But I go to sam's club a lot! Any who congrats on the win!! :)

4/13/2017 11:42 - Jonathan B.

Congrats to the winner! What a prize! I'm probably about done with the scratch-offs though. Even though I have won some big and small prizes, I usually win more money and win more often on the pick 3 and Cash 5. The only reason I enjoy scratch-offs is the opportunity to win instantly but over time, the draw games is where it's at! GL to everyone in the state of NC on the games.

4/13/2017 11:02 - Vivian n.

Congrats to everyone of the winnets i am next in line for a miracle

4/13/2017 09:57 - Mathew M.

I just wanted to say... I love LZ!!! Thanks for giving me another opportunity to win prizes with the second chance promotions?and weekly and monthly drawings. I know you catch a lot of flack, and hear many frustrations, but I have got nothing but love for ya! Still waiting to win a prize one day, but win or not, I still have fun playing, and I think that's what it should be about. So thanks again LZ for second chances!!!NC Lottery
Thanks for the kind words. And understand that we totally get why people have questions and want to know how things work. We are glad to see there is so much interest and enthusiasm in the lottery, games and winners. Good luck to you and everyone here! :)

4/13/2017 08:50 - Hans L.

Don't waste your money on the carolinas millions 10 dollar game or the extreme million 30 dollar game, as those top prizes are still out there, making one believe they haven't been put into circulation yet.NC Lottery
We aren't sure how you arrive at that conclusion. A top prize winner in one of those games could show up at Lottery HQ any day now :)

4/13/2017 08:24 - ELLA R.

Have you listed the winners of the x the cash second chance drawing yet that was to be held on April 7th ?NC Lottery
We announce a winner’s name only after he or she has responded to notification and completes the claim process. In the case of the first X The Cash second-chance drawing, 14 of the 18 winners have claimed and been named. To see the results, go to the Lucke-Rewards > WINNERS page. Here's a link that explains how to adjust the display setting to see results of drawings that have already been held: http://bit.ly/2dAtJ1O

4/13/2017 07:43 - Vicky S.

Congrats

4/13/2017 02:00 - Elizabeth h.

I praise God you are blessed to be a blessing praise God

4/12/2017 07:10 - Margie faye D.

How do I use my points to enter in the weekly drawings..wat can u do with the points for the second chance drawing,??..NC Lottery
Please call our customer service at 877-962-7529. The normal availability is 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. But our offices will be closed Friday for the state holiday.

4/12/2017 07:00 - Charlene W.

Bought 4 $10 Carolina millions and $10 taxes paid in Fuquay $50 total loss, won ZERO .Its just dubs here always has been.As I stated before wish LuckEZone look at all my UNLUCKY tics I've entered in my account and award me at least a constellation prize.

4/12/2017 06:43 - Thomas B.

Because winning tickets for instant games are distributed at random among millions of tickets throughout the entire game. Checking the list of scratch off winners I see the name of Hyun Kim listed five times each for $1000. All 5 tickets were the ultimate millions all purchased at Kim convenient store in Monroe, NC and cashed in on April 6. This seems strange to me and not fair to the customers. I hope there is no fishing by the retailer.NC Lottery
Without knowing how often an individual plays the lottery, it is impossible to say how much luck factored into their lottery wins. When an individual has a retail association, prize claims are given additional attention by the lottery's security staff. If a prize is awarded it is because there is no reason to think any kind of fraud occurred. With that said if any player ever sees anything that concerns them at a retail location, they should call our security staff at 888-732-6235.

4/12/2017 06:03 - Geraldine D.

congratulations

4/12/2017 05:59 - Herman S.

Good choice Turbo. Hope it works for both of us. I'll drop a little something on 493 for the next 3 days. Can't let you have all the Bunny Money.

4/12/2017 05:05 - Denver G.

Hey Scorp, I got a buck says 493 hits, pick & scratch!!!

4/12/2017 03:47 - Herman S.

Hello LZ, NCEL and LZ members, HAPPY EASTER to everyone. On a side note, my Easter Bunny tell me 641,416, 194,491 is due this month. Hoping to get some Bunny Money by this Sunday. My Bunny Money hunt is own.

4/12/2017 01:38 - KatherineL P.

Looks like no one warned them their picture was being taken. LOL. Likely they are just in shock from winning! Congrats winners!

4/12/2017 11:34 - Barbara R.

I bought a whole pack of 50X Cash only won 85 dollars out of 300 that is a disappointment. Please help me understandNC Lottery
The most important thing to remember is that with games of chance there is never a guarantee you will win more than you wager. For that reason we generally advise against buying packs of tickets to play the lottery. Depending on what game you played, the odds of winning at least your money back on a ticket were probably somewhere in the neighborhood of 1 in 3, 1 in 4 or 1 in 5. That means there's a real possibility you might win just 20% to 30% of your money back, give or take. Because winning tickets for instant games are distributed at random among millions of tickets throughout the entire game. When you play a game of chance you have to be lucky to win more than you wager. We suggest buying just one or a few tickets at a time when you feel lucky and we hope you have good luck if you do.

4/12/2017 11:33 - Willie B.

Every entry has the same odds. I remember going to the Sweepstakes and a lady had a lot of entries and she got mad that I only had one entry and won the prize and she sad that it was rigged but it was the pluck of the draw. Then there where times when a guy would have many entries and win all the time. Either way you darn if you do and you darn if you don't.

4/12/2017 11:00 - Denver G.

Hey LZ, How are y'all doing? I just checked the winners page. It seems like there is a bunch of unclaimed cruise packages!! Is some one slow updating the info? Or do y'all need to send out some emails to the alternate winners. I know they have 30 days to claim. I think some have passed that deadline. Just sayin..NC Lottery
Hi Turbo - Things are good here at HQ :) You probably saw that all of the winners for drawings #1 & #2 have claimed. And as you know, while notification typically happens within 48 hours of the draw date, that is not always the case. But there was a mistake, actually with the winner status file that was displaying for drawing #3. So thank you for noticing and giving us a chance to correct it.

4/12/2017 09:56 - KatherineL P.

To be entered in the second chance drawing games, am I automatically registered when I enter my ticket in the 'Ticket Entry' page and it says 'accepted'? Just want to ensure there is no second step.NC Lottery
Very good question, and one that we want all members to understand because the expression "second chance" gets used a lot for a variety of drawings. When you enter a ticket here, you will automatically get Rewards points AND be automatically entered into any game-specific or promotional drawings associated with that ticket. So the answer is you don't have to do anything else to be entered into those drawings, such as Extreme Millions or Warehouse Dash, etc. But, you do need to use your points to enter the monthly or weekly Rewards drawings. Does that help? Thanks for the question :)

4/12/2017 09:00 - NC Lottery

@ PLAYER (AUMAN04) - We encourage players to hold on to their tickets to enter them for points and any game-specific/promotional drawings they're associated with to get the maximum value out of their lottery purchase. We understand your question but there are not plans at this time to cap the amount of entries anyone can make into the Rewards drawings.

4/12/2017 08:38 - Lillie M.

Congratulations.

4/12/2017 08:13 - David J.

Well done! I have been a long time player hope a big win is headed my way.

4/12/2017 06:23 - Myrtle L.

I went to kangaroo express in kings mountain and they did not have any slips for some of the games and when i asked for 5 quick picks they told me i have to fill out a slip they really don't like to sell lottery tickets. Did me the same way a few months ago NC Lottery
The experience you're describing is not the one we want you to have at a store that sells lottery tickets. Would you please call our customer service between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. at 877-962-7529 to provide more details so we can have someone follow up with the retailer? Also, while our regular days of operation are Monday through Friday, our offices are closed for the state holiday on Friday.

4/12/2017 02:00 - Mathew M.

Hey LZ, just wondering how many entries for last week's 10X quick cash drawing??? And congratulations to Suzanne...If it were me, I would've thought it was an April Fool's joke for real. NC Lottery
There were 332,389 total entries. GOOD LUCK! :)

4/12/2017 01:55 - BIlly H.

Good luck,I'm next!!!!!

4/12/2017 12:28 - Stacia M.

Congratulations

4/12/2017 12:10 - Angela C.

Thank the person who final came up with This ideas in the meeting.from NC??NC Lottery
Correct :-) Our former executive director, Tom Shaheen, now works with the company that developed the Play at the Pump service.

4/11/2017 11:16 - Nichole L.

Congrats on the win!

4/11/2017 10:22 - Tony N.

Congratulations Suzanne! Hello everyone go to your local grocery store and try the tickets in the machine. I have a change of luck for the the good on Fayetteville...

4/11/2017 08:57 - KAYLA A.

I think I have seen the question I am about to ask,but I never saw a reply. Since some people have more opportunities to get more more tickets to enter IE: people getting tickets out of the trash, store owners, etc.., would it not be more fair to limit the amount of entries into each contest,a cap of anywhere from 10 to a hundred would be fair, and it would level the playing field . I like to enter these contest,but some weeks I can't afford to buy many tickets,and therefore don't have many to enter. And I know 1 ticket entry has just as much chance as 1000,but I really would have a better chance with a 1000 , so would it not be fair to everyone to have the exact same chance? Thank you in advance for answering my question.NC Lottery
Please see our full response below.

4/11/2017 08:14 - schantera M.

Congratulations Suzanne!!!!

4/11/2017 07:41 - Gaye B.

God is good!!

4/11/2017 07:13 - Denver G.

On 4/11/2017 08:43, sweet pea said My husband found one of those throw away tickets. It was for $5000. Please check your tickets carefully! ************ WOW, I actually remember you saying you found a winner about 2yrs ago, all shy & timid not knowing if you would get caught cashing it in. My advice was go for it but keep it on the down low. You beat my biggest find $1k about 2yrs ago , just layin on the display counter last row unscratched. I felt nervous like you. But not a dang thing to worry about.. It's the old finders keepers, losers weepers defense.

4/11/2017 06:22 - Michelle S.

I am so excited to be back in North Carolina and able to play the lottery makes my retiring here much more exciting! Thank you for all the online information and especially the Second Chance drawings!NC Lottery
Welcome back, and good luck!! :)

4/11/2017 06:17 - Gregory F.

Congratulations to the winner.Looking for my blessing I need it to help with my retirement. GOD HAS A BLESSING WITH NAME ON IT.

4/11/2017 05:53 - Denver G.

Wow, you call one simple extra click of the mouse jumping thru hoops. Think about it. 800,000 members, 8.5 million entries!!!! For players to come on here & say I had 300,600, or 900 entries and I should have won is ridiculous. Odds are that 799,999 of us are not gonna win the grand prize!!!

4/11/2017 05:38 - Regina s.

Well done my friend

4/11/2017 05:11 - Leroy T.

Congratulation to the window and waiting on the new app

4/11/2017 04:57 - Kicia W.

Congratulations

4/11/2017 04:01 - Howard S.

Congratulation

4/11/2017 03:14 - Carla J.

Congrats Suzie

4/11/2017 02:59 - TERESSA C.

How does the instant ticket validation that you get when you Power play mega millions work?I have one that's says:cash won $20 & another that says cash won $5 but when I presented it to a retailer I was told the funds had already been issued, Why is that? I did scan it in under Lucke-Rewards but did that make a difference?NC Lottery
Can you call our player customer service at 877-962-7529 to talk through your question? The helpline's regular hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. but our offices are closed Friday this week for the state holiday.

4/11/2017 02:27 - Denver G.

I didn't even know they still had pay at the pump. I thought that failed. Is Murphy's the only chain?? Off subject, but.. Hard to understand how a player can come on here, say they bought 2 rolls of tickets. Won more the 50% back on the 1st roll & 75% back on the 2nd roll. Then in the same breathe say they are "broke" & disappointed in the pay out.

4/11/2017 02:10 - saron l.

Luckezone needs a new app and better update. Also I would like win you are scanning the tickets and telling us if it is a looser so winner while we enter all of these tickets. It would make everything more easy and not missing any winners and instead of it going in the trash.NC Lottery
Good news: We have an app upgrade in the works! We don't have a date yet but as soon as we know, we'll share it with you and everyone else. The new app will allow you to scan your tickets to see if you have a winner or not. Stay tuned :)

4/11/2017 01:26 - Deborah T.

Congratulations!

4/11/2017 01:12 - Gary C.

You never know when or where luck will strike. Congratulations Suzanne!!!

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Play at the Pump turns into $50,000 win

April 11, 2017 Posted by NC Lottery at 12:12 PM

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