Second chance winner buys dream home

May 29, 2018 Posted by NC Lottery at 10:11 AM

This blog is full of stories about winners who have big dreams. We want to tell you about one of them who made his come true.

We couldn’t be more excited for Michael Bridges of Charlotte. He won $50,000 in the Extreme Millions Second-Chance drawing in January. Bridges used part of that money to buy a new home for his wife and two kids. He closed on it earlier this month.

“It’s feels absolutely great!” Bridges exclaimed. “It’s a two-story, three-bedroom house with a big backyard where the kids can play.”

Bridges said he found out he won on what felt like “the worst” day of his life.

“I had just got passed over for a job promotion,” Bridges explained. “When I got the email telling me I won I was like, ‘Wow!’ It just felt so amazing.”

Congratulations Michael! We hope you enjoy your new home.

38 COMMENTS

9/04/2018 09:28 - Angela F.

So.. Please explain how numbers come into the second chance draws..aren't the winners pulled by name..not numbers...NCL states.."All of our Second Chance drawings take place with an auditor present to verify the results, and the drawing itself is conducted using a certified random number generator according to specific security procedures to ensure fairness to all of our players" NC Lottery
Hi Angie, That's a great question! All of the entries are assigned a number and then a random number is selected to determine the winner.

6/25/2018 03:48 - Vivian C.

Congratulations to all that win..I'm patiently waiting for my turn..I want to win enough.to take care of my family.

6/12/2018 06:24 - Patricia B.

Congratulations Michael I plan on doing the same thing when my BIG DAY COME!!!!NC Lottery
That's wonderful, Patricia! What does your dream home look like?

6/07/2018 03:05 - Sarah B.

Hi Eulas, We understand your frustration, but please remember that with games of chance, your entries only guarantee you a chance of winning. There are no policies in place to restrict a player from winning more than once. All of our Second Chance drawings take place with an auditor present to verify the results, and the drawing itself is conducted using a certified random number generator according to specific security procedures to ensure fairness to all of our players. We wish you good luck in the future.

6/07/2018 02:58 - Zachary H.

Every time I buy an Extreme Millions ticket, I have a hope of just breaking even, but every single time it’s a losing ticket! The odds on these tickets are a complete scam! There’s no way they’re true! The NCEL is by far the worst lottery out of all the states that have it. Pennies on the dollar are contributed to schools and all the executives there enjoy their lavish homes and cars! Can’t believe I’ve wasted this much money, with nothing in return! NC Lottery
Hi Zachary, With games of chance there is never a guarantee of winning, only a chance to win. We share detailed information about the odds of every single game on our website. The lottery is also independently audited to ensure games and practices are fair and meet rigorous industry standards. Additionally, 100% of lottery profits go to education programs in NC. Last year, that meant over $622 million went back to the state. We are also proud to say that less than 1% of lottery money is used to fund lottery employees salaries and benefits.

6/07/2018 10:46 - Eulas L.

First congratulations to Michael. I have been playing 2nd chance drawings for over 4yrs and I have never won. I have noticed that several people have already won not once but 2 even 3 times this year. It seems odd for the same people to win multiple times. How can the NC Lottery come up with some kind of policy that will address this issue? I am NOT saying that once you win once you can never win again but every one else would like to win too. I understand the more entries that you have in a drawing the better your chance is to win. But statistically the odds of winning multiple 2nd chance drawings just this year is pretty high. What can be done to address this issue? I enter my maximum 75 daily entries a minimum of 2-3 times every single week for over 4 years and never won anything but another person has won 3 different times in the past couple months. HUMM MAKES ME WONDER WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON.PLEASE EXPLAIN THIS TO ME. NC Lottery
Hi Eulas, Please see our response above.

6/06/2018 10:11 - Gary C.

Sometimes your worst days can be your best as Michael found out. Many people get passed over for promotions, but that can be a blessing in disguise when you see all of the extra work that is requiref for not much more money. We need to be thankful for what we have. Congratulations Michael for being smart with your winnings.NC Lottery
Thanks for your insight, Gary. You never when your lucky day is coming!

6/03/2018 09:39 - Jerry B.

Congratulations to this lucky winner and also to what he did with his winnings.

6/03/2018 08:19 - Bonnie M.

Thanks, to the man above...It's your season! Congratulations on your new home

5/31/2018 04:58 - Jeffrey G.

Like Michael I to was lucky enough to win but, it was the cash 5. Way back in 2011 I never spent a dime of that money. The check NCEL wrote to me I put it in a retirement account. NC Lottery
It sounds like you had a great plan, Jeffrey. Congratulations!

5/31/2018 01:56 - stephane d.

Congratulations my friend, I wish you many more winnings!

5/30/2018 09:43 - Renee H.

Congratulationsto you Michael and your family! Hey NC Lottery, I'm new to playing the lottery, can you tell me how to play the second chance games. Thanks. NC Lottery
Hi Renee, We're so glad you're here! For Second Chance drawings, you will need to scan or manually enter your tickets into your Lucke-Rewards account. When you enter or scan a ticket that is eligible for a Second Chance drawing, you will be automatically entered in the drawing upon scanning the ticket. Please let us know if you have any other questions!

5/30/2018 08:56 - Allen M.

so very happy for you and your family :)

5/30/2018 06:40 - Jacquelyn I C.

I have been entering in the second chance and have not won...but be happy for those who do win. When I see the odds with my entries,it is no different than the odds for any other game. It is a game like any other game..chance...If you do not play you cannot win.This the lottery not Uno.NC Lottery
We're happy to hear that you enjoy playing, Jacki!

5/30/2018 05:48 - Wanda H.

Congrats

5/30/2018 04:44 - Denver G.

Chavelia, your comment made me laugh. The Charlotte area gets more winners then most any other area.

5/30/2018 12:38 - Chavelia T.

Congrats enjoy your family and new blessing.

5/30/2018 12:37 - Chavelia T.

I just wish Charlotte could get big winners like Greensboro, Fayettevill, Durham. Where are the 10k 20k 50k i don't have to have a million even though it would be nice. Give Charlotte some more they are always near Raleigh. Need some Crumpets!! In case you don't know Crumpets are DOLLARS!!!

5/30/2018 11:22 - Herman S.

Congrats to Michael & his family on their beautiful home. NCEl-LZ... can you confirm the total entries for the upcoming Second Chance Drawings: Derby Cash, 10X Quick Cash, $25,000.00 Dream Makeover and Multiply the cash. NC Lottery
Hey Herman, Here are the totals: Derby Dash on 6/6/18 has 1,177,196 entries, 10X Quick Cash on 5/30/18 has 329,437 entries, $25,000 Dream Makeover on 6/6/18 has 46,627 entries, and Multiply the Cash on 6/6/18 has 6,205,878 entries.

5/30/2018 10:38 - George H.

I Feel Like A Winner Just Having A Chance To Play.After All,Nobody Really Buys All The Tickets They Enter.Good Luck And May God Bless All The Winners.

5/30/2018 09:30 - DaQuan M.

Congratulations to Mr. Bridges and his family. I like to hear stories of people winning. As for Richard M....hang in there...I enter all the time and never win but I do know of someone that got the winning emial. Hang in there.

5/30/2018 08:55 - Richard M.

I have entered virtually all of my tickets in second chance drawings and monthly drawings and have not won anything. Played 18 home depot cards and won nothing. Last 5 Crown Jewels have been losers. Something smells like a con. Extremely tired of not winning something.NC Lottery
Hi Richard, For many of our drawings, there are hundreds of thousands of entries. We wish that every entry or ticket could be a winner, but then we wouldn't be able to provide the great prizes that we do for those lucky players. It's important to remember that having even one entry in a drawing gives you a chance to win! Good luck!

5/30/2018 08:42 - Jantzen S.

Curious ncel, how many entries did he have?NC Lottery
Hi Jantzen, We leave it up to the winner to share that information if they want to.

5/30/2018 08:39 - Maurice H.

Bless you!

5/30/2018 02:17 - Ana P.

Congratulations and may you and your family enjoy your new home! God Bless!

5/30/2018 01:41 - Sandy Geddie H.

Congratulations, that was wonderful. What second chance drawing did u win?NC Lottery
Hey Sandy, Michael was one of 3 $50,000 winners of the Extreme Millions Second Chance drawing that took place in January 2018.

5/29/2018 10:42 - Tatiana D.

Congratulations, Michael! This really is a blessing. Would you mind letting us know how many entries you had in this drawing? I started entering my tickets in second chance drawings just recently and won $500 gift card from Home Depot! I had 110 entries.

5/29/2018 10:04 - lori j.

congrats God bless u and ur family

5/29/2018 09:30 - ANGELA W.

Where was the 10k winning ticket for Friday, May 25, 2018 MegaMillions purchased?NC Lottery
Hi Angela, That ticket was sold at the C-Store at 712 Rock Quarry Road in Raleigh. Thanks!

5/29/2018 08:31 - Marcia A.

Congratulations! It's beautiful. May God continue to bless you and your family.

5/29/2018 07:38 - Danny P.

I think that's just great! God Bless and enjoy your New Home!

5/29/2018 06:21 - Quentin J.

awesome story, congrats to him and his family... any update when the next second chance drawing for extreme millions?NC Lottery
No date has been set for the next Extreme Millions Second Chance drawing, Quentin. As soon as we have the date, we will share it with you! Thanks.

5/29/2018 04:51 - Reba B.

Yay!

5/29/2018 04:08 - Ronald C.

! have asked the attorney general of the state of North Carolina to investigate the NCEL!

5/29/2018 03:19 - teresa s.

Thanks great and smart of you to use some of it for a new home! Congrats!

5/29/2018 01:35 - Gregory F.

I have been playing second chance drawing for a while . Have not win anything all these games. Just like buying scratch off tickets can't win anything. I think I'm just wasting my money. Congrats to the winner you are blessed by GOD.

5/29/2018 10:45 - Reba B.

That's great Bridges family. Just in time :)

5/29/2018 10:41 - judy w.

Congratulations hope so see winners in hiddiente nc on lucky zone no luck yet good luck everyone

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Second chance winner buys dream home

May 29, 2018 Posted by NC Lottery at 10:11 AM

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