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news blog > article

Big wins for players mean big wins for education

August 3, 2017 Posted by NC Lottery at 4:15 PM
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A lot of people won big this year playing the lottery, but they weren’t the only winners. The lottery recently ended its 11th fiscal year and thanks to players like you, we were able to raise $622 million for education in the state. Here are some fun facts about our biggest winners of the year.

 

 

Q: How many times did players win $1 million or more this year?

A: 59 times.

 

Q: Where were the players from?

A: 33 different counties. Mecklenburg had the most luck, with eight wins of $1 million or more.

 

Q: What was the greatest amount won?

A: One player won a $10 million prize.

 

Q: How many $1 million or more prizes were won from scratch-offs?

A: 47 of the 59. There were eight won from daily draw games, two with second chance drawings, and two from Lucky for Life.

 

Q: What did the winners do for a living?

A: There was a diverse set of occupations. From a school custodian, to a chef, a business owner and an accounting manager, the players came from all different backgrounds. Other winners were a carpet installer, a salon owner, a mail carrier and a trash business owner.

 

Q: What were the most interesting plans for the money?

A: Obviously, many of the winners wanted to take vacations, pay off bills or invest the money.  For some, winning $1 million or more came at a perfect time to start their own business or buy a house. Others decided to give back to their community.  One is able to fund a lifelong dream of becoming an artist.

Q: What were some other highlights of the year?

A: An average of $4.2 million was given out daily this year. The lottery made $622 million for education programs in the state, topping $600 million for the second year in a row. 

 

Because you have fun playing our games, we can help students and schools across the state. Thanks again for your support.   

 


45 COMMENTS

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9/13/2017 12:06 - David W.

LuckeZone, it quite simply is an undeniable fact, there were no top prize winners for 2017 in counties west of Asheville. I have a print-out copy of every week's list of winners for this year, so I have documentation to back up my claim. And further, how about all those rural counties along the Virginia border (i.e. Granville, Vance, Halifax, Franklin, Northampton counties). They have had a couple of dozen winners? How do you explain that, LZ?NC Lottery
Hey, Can'tBreakEven. We would give you the same answer as we've given lots of time before with similar questions. It's not easier to win the lottery in any one place than another. If you move to Granville, Vance, etc., it does not become easier to win a lottery prize there. The lottery doesn't know where the winning instant tickets are.?Luck can happen anywhere.

8/09/2017 11:49 - Pauline B.

I have been playing the 2nd chance drawings for years and never even known a winner.

8/09/2017 12:50 - Glenna J D.

who won the jeeps on the august 5th drawing?NC Lottery
There was not a second-chance drawing for Jeeps on August 5th, it is being held today. Winners are typically notified within 48 hours of the date of the drawing, first by email but by telephone or certified mail if necessary. A winner's name can only be announced after he or she has completed the claim process.

8/09/2017 12:00 - David W.

So, of those 59 million dollar wins in 2017, zero went to players in Cherokee, Clay, Macon, Jackson, Swain, Graham, or Haywood counties. NC Lottery
A small percentage of all North Carolinians live in the western counties you just mentioned. It is not harder to win the lottery there, there are just fewer people taking a chance to win. If you were to move to Charlotte you would have the same chance of winning, just more neighbors. If you play the lottery, please do it knowing it takes luck to beat the odds to win a prize big or small.

8/07/2017 09:33 - Gordon F.

yea i had 14 entries on second chance to be drawn on the 9th there gone, why, its only the 7th.NC Lottery
Because the entry deadline has passed. To see the total entries you made for drawings for which the entry deadline has passed, take a look at this blog that describes how to adjust the display settings: http://bit.ly/2q9HzLO

8/07/2017 03:57 - Dennis C.

Let me give you an example of where he NCEL is headed. When the $5, $2500 a year for life card came out several years ago it had by far the worst odds of winning of any $5 out there. It wasn’t even close. Now, back then I understood why as the card is worth $2.6 mil plus. The card is still around but on its last leg. Fast forward to 8/17 anf it is the best $5 card out there by far. It is the easiest to win on now and it isn’t even close. How strange it that? There is only one explanation and we know what it is.NC Lottery
Your personal experience with being lucky playing that game recently does not relate to how tickets for the game are printed. Tickets are printed using industry standard balancing software to ensure all packs of tickets have winning and non-winning tickets throughout the entire printing run of the game, and those packs of tickets are then distributed as stores order them.

8/07/2017 11:02 - bradley s.

NCEL Replied scratchers payout more than ever?? What a crock of lies. Pick up 4 counties store trash and BAGS OF BIg $5-30 tickets with Not even a dollar on them. You should just say We Print millions of Losing tic Joke. Quit all of em 2 years ago. Don't reply with same old

8/07/2017 01:38 - Lantino G.

Congratulations to all winners big and small. Yes I play the scatch offs alot lol and I have been bless to have a win or two but as much as I support I would love a big win fyi am in Greenville nc ??

8/06/2017 10:32 - KatherineL P.

How many entries were received for the Red White and blue bucks Aug 9 drawing? Thanks!NC Lottery
There were 856,616 total entries. Good luck!

8/06/2017 09:00 - Myesha P.

Wow nice wish it was me I would love it too be My family me ,my 2 Kids sad face lol

8/06/2017 06:24 - Claude W.

So what is up with the scratch off ticket not having many winners as they did last year and the years before. I buy 2 at the time and back in 2010 Thursday 2015,I would win on at least 1 of the tickets, now it is impossible . Very few winners in the new scratch offs when they first come out. NC Lottery
Instant scratch-off games pay out at the highest percentage now than they ever have since the lottery began in North Carolina. You can take a look at the instant game pages on our website to see what the odds of winning are at every prize level, and how many prizes are still remaining out there at every level. No matter who you are or where you live, it takes good luck to beat the odds and win a prize big or small. Good luck to you.

8/06/2017 12:19 - ROBERT E.

Wow I can win today nat to m

8/06/2017 07:28 - michael e.

I was wondering if the numbers come up from low to high each week or do you just display them as so thanks ??NC Lottery
If we understand your question correctly, you are asking about how winning numbers are displayed for games like Cash 5 and Powerball? We put them in that order so it's easier to check. In a random drawing the numbers could appear in order of lowest to highest but its drastically more likely there will be a mix.

8/05/2017 11:13 - Dollie P.

If I win I would love to open a day care for the elderly or a home for young lady with children to help them get back on there feet

8/05/2017 08:08 - Katherine D.

That's good to hear...but why are they continuing to cut cut the education budget? NC Lottery
Elected officials in the state legislature make decisions about how to best-use the extra money the lottery makes available, as well as broader decisions about how to fund education.

8/05/2017 06:31 - greg s.

I travel through nc daily and have more luck winning on older tickets.

8/05/2017 04:14 - Emil R.

Why is it that every time I enter my ticket numbers in the Rewards, I get a different quantity of chances. Sometimes 5 on a five dollar ticket, other times as many as 25 on a $5 ticket???NC Lottery
All just part of the fun of the Rewards program. Draw game tickets are worth between 1 and 5 times the ticket price and instant game tickets are worth between 1 and 10 times the ticket price :-) The more points you get, the more extra chances you have to win :-)

8/05/2017 10:57 - Dollie P.

We all love playing our games and what a great way to help kids ok

8/05/2017 09:41 - tony w.

I like stories of homeless and unemployed people who are struggling financially , I love it when those types of people win. We rarely hear those types of stories were person spends last dollar on powerball.

8/05/2017 06:30 - JUDY R.

What is wrong with the subscription service ?NC Lottery
We aren't aware of any issues with the subscription service. Anytime you have a technical question or concern, it is best to click on the HELP link at the top of the screen and fill out an ONLINE SUPPORT form. There is also additional contact information there for tech support.

8/05/2017 03:13 - YVONNE G.

I'm the next BIG winner!!!

8/05/2017 01:52 - Mary H.

OK, if the average pay out PER DAY is $4.2 Million what is the average take in PER DAY for the lottery. I'm sure it is mind blowing. I think it only fair that you divulge that amount also. Still waiting for the larger blue sleeves. Thank you.NC Lottery
We want everyone to know that ticket sales made it possible last year to raise on average more than $1.7 million a day for education. All of the lottery's finances are a matter of public record. You can read them in independently audited annual reports on our website. http://bit.ly/1AzqpVR

8/05/2017 01:17 - Rebecca D.

I feel if it is for you,you will win. I play when I have a hunch. No one wins all the time.

8/04/2017 11:25 - joanie m.

Congratulations to all winners ??????

8/04/2017 07:32 - herbert w.

CONGRATS TO ALL THE WINNERS. HOPEFULLY MY NUMBERS GET CALLED NEXT. THEN I CAN CELEBRATE.

8/04/2017 07:25 - steven m.

still waiting for my winning ticket,do i need to move to raleigh or charlotteNC Lottery
Hello there. You ask a similar question almost every week. And we always reply that if you were to move to Raleigh or Charlotte you would have exactly the same chance of winning a prize as you do now - you'd just have more neighbors. When someone in Charlotte wins a lottery prize, the whole city does not win a prize, only the one person who was lucky enough to find a lucky ticket. It's the same deal for you where you live, have to be lucky! :-)

8/04/2017 05:53 - Kristina S.

That is awesome I hope to win someday to help my family

8/04/2017 05:35 - mark g.

People dont start asking if tickets have an experation date my old ones work fine! Your just giving them ideas ob how to screw us even more!the lotto is like the government they take alot from ya and give a little tiny microscopic bit back...SO PLZZZZ dont giv'em any ideas!!!NC Lottery
Since the lottery began there have always been claim deadlines for every lottery game. Prizes won in the daily drawings for Pick 3, Pick 4 and Cash 5 - as well as Lucky for Life, Mega Millions and Powerball - must be claimed within 180 days. When scratch-off games end, we announce the claim deadline 180 days ahead of time so players know they need to cash in those tickets. After a claim deadline expires, the lottery cannot award any unclaimed prizes on those tickets.

8/04/2017 05:29 - mark g.

MONEY!MONEY!MONEY! When is it my turn come on lotto dont be greedy produce more big winners we all know you can do it!!!!NC Lottery
We wish every ticket could be a winning ticket. But non-winning tickets is where prize money comes from. Last year players won on average more than $4.2 million a day in prizes, which made it possible for the lottery to earn on average $1.7 million a day for education. The lottery is here to offer fun and fair games, and to raise money for a good cause - education in our state. We hope your next ticket is a lucky one.

8/04/2017 05:07 - Dennis C.

Amazing

8/04/2017 04:27 - Joseph S.

We need some love in Winston Salem Forsyth county

8/04/2017 04:03 - Elsie S.

How many winners have won using Luck e Zone I have only seen maybe 2? Congrats! to all those whose life has changed from their efforts put in playing the Lottery. Its all luck or at least 99% of it. NC Lottery
For the games available through subscription services, less than 1% of total sales for those games were made through subscription services last year. The odds of winning are the same if you play that way as they are if you buy a ticket in a store - there are just far more people getting tickets the old fashioned way at this time. We have had a $5,000 Lucky for Life winner, a $15,000 Mega Millions winner, a $20,000 Powerball winner, and a $149,970 Cash 5 jackpot winner all through subscription :)

8/04/2017 02:24 - Betty O.

THAT IS VERY GOOD, I HOPE SOME DESERVING STUDENTS GET QUALITY SCHOLARSHIPS.

8/04/2017 01:20 - Primrow W.

I can't win nothing put my tickets in no win maybe one day

8/04/2017 11:02 - Frank G.

Congrats to all winners. Don't forget God's work. By the way..what's up with 7/26/ drawing for quick cash?NC Lottery
The website is updated as winners respond to notification and complete the claim process. The website is updated regularly but because it is a manual process there are any number of reasons why an update might take more time than usual. The information has been updated now - the winner was Lori Cannon of Lincolnton.

8/04/2017 04:53 - Ethel H.

I feel the drawing online are won by the same people all the time. But why, in sure other people play, is this a inside thing. God see and knows everything. I pray that you just be fair about this, we all like a chance to win like everyone else. God bless you NC Lottery
Hey there, Drummer. No worries! The same people don't always win all the time. It takes luck and chance to win. While it is possible for someone to win more than once, that just means that they are extremely lucky! Everyone has the same chance of winning. Hope this helps!

8/03/2017 10:57 - Willie B.

How many tickets are bought each day in the pick 3 and pick 4 drawing. NC Lottery
It varies. Over time both games pay out 50% in prizes.

8/03/2017 10:51 - Mable F.

Glad to be a part

8/03/2017 10:48 - BIlly H.

Well done job everybody God speed

8/03/2017 10:41 - Gayle T.

Thank you for helping our schools!!Congratulations to all that won and for the rest,GOOD LUCK!!!

8/03/2017 09:17 - welford c.

Who do I contact to complain about my entry not being posted for the week ending 8|4|17 ?NC Lottery
Any technical questions you have, please click on the HELP link at the top of the screen and fill out an ONLINE SUPPORT form. You can also call 855-767-1863 for tech support.

8/03/2017 09:09 - Arthur J.

Tell me something good to say, waiting for good news

8/03/2017 06:37 - Michael S.

How can you cash in from old ticketsNC Lottery
Depending on how old they are, some tickets may have already expired beyond the claim deadline. Please call 877-962-7529 between 8 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, to talk it through with our customer service.

8/03/2017 05:20 - JIM B.

Unfortunately our legislature will cut the education budget by this amount and unwisely spend these millions on some pork belly special interest nonsense. On a positive note-the lottery did make many people a life changing situation and this is why i keep on playing! :) Hope to see my name-no picture added to this list one day! NC Lottery
Good luck Beansntaters!

8/03/2017 05:19 - Dion A.

Of those winners, what was the number of individuals who won on the subscription option?NC Lottery
For the games available through subscription services - Cash 5, Mega Millions, Powerball, and Lucky for Life - less than 1% of total ticket sales for those games in a given year are made through subscription. We have not yet had a $1 million winner through subscription, although we have had a $5,000 Lucky for Life winner, a $20,000 Powerball winner, a $15,000 Mega Millions winner, and a $149,970 Cash 5 jackpot winner. The chances of winning a prize through subscription are the same as if you buy a ticket at a store. Good luck!

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