‘My heart dropped,’ Winston-Salem fast food worker said of winning $200,000 prize

October 31, 2019 Posted by NC Lottery at 7:49 AM

Betzi Rivera of Winston-Salem said a split-second decision while pumping gas resulted in her winning a $200,000 lottery prize.

“I don’t normally play the lottery,” Rivera said. “I just randomly decided to get a ticket.”

The fast food worker bought the winning Mega Bucks scratch-off ticket at the Church Street BP on Church Street in Concord. She took the $5 ticket home and started scratching.”

“My heart dropped when I saw what I won,” Rivera said. “I couldn’t believe it.”

Rivera claimed her prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required state and federal tax withholdings, she took home $141,501. She plans to invest most of the money, but said she might treat herself to a new Apple Watch.

Mega Bucks launched in November 2017. Four $200,000 top prizes remain.

Ticket sales from games like Mega Bucks make it possible for the lottery to raise more than $700 million a year for education. For details on how lottery funds have made a difference in all of North Carolina’s 100 counties, click on the “Impact” section of the lottery’s website.

30 COMMENTS

11/05/2019 03:39 - Willie B.

why not me one of these days?

11/04/2019 06:27 - Jennifer W.

Congratulations

11/03/2019 11:23 - Camileh S.

Congrats, I am sincerely happy for Betzi!

11/03/2019 06:43 - Jeff D.

I cannot enter my Lucke-Rewards numbers - the page is always "loading". Also, what is the difference between 2nd chance and Lucke Rewards? I read and re-read the info on these but it is very confusing. Would I receive a message if I were to win? Is there a page that lists the winners for these various games?NC Lottery
Please clear your cache and try again. For every ticket you enter into your account, you'll receive points. Those points can be used to enter our Lucke-Rewards drawings. 2nd chance drawings are associated with specific tickets. If you see a ticket that says "2nd chance" symbol, that game has a second-chance drawing. When you enter your ticket for points, you will also receive a 2nd chance entry if it is a 2nd chance game. Folks who win are notified via email. You can view past winners by visiting to the "Past Draws" section in the links above and clicking into the various drawings.

11/03/2019 03:50 - Tina P.

Congrats on your winnings!!

11/03/2019 12:33 - Robert C.

can you put the amount money you won from 600 and up as income you made for the year and the taxes taken out if you win 5000 and up can be added wne you file your taxes? serious inquiry.NC Lottery
Hi there Robert, wins of $600 and up are considered income and so minimum state and federal taxes would be withheld. You would also receive appropriate paperwork when you claimed in order to include it on your taxes. Hope this helps!

11/03/2019 12:17 - Brenda S.

Happy for you.

11/03/2019 11:36 - Cynthia R.

Congratulations young lady!

11/03/2019 08:47 - Berry B.

Great win

11/02/2019 09:42 - Edward H.

Can some one from lottery call me a s p need to see if lottery is working on my end is my lotto acc active NC Lottery
Hi Edward. Would you please call Customer Service for help with your issue, (866) 934-0289. Thanks

11/02/2019 08:49 - Sabrina M.

Congrats...enjoy your Apple watch!!

11/02/2019 07:10 - Chester W.

please do not use congratulations when I enter a drawing. I thought I won!

11/02/2019 06:58 - Chester W.

Need more clarity on the website. You can only enter 1 to 10 draws at a time. Or enter the whole amount of points for one drawing. I want to share my points accordingly for each draw. Also, there used to be an on-line section to pick random numbers on the old site. Please bring it back. The app is working so so. Why did you remove the feature showing all GREEN when a ticket is a winner and confetti falling down. Please bring it back. THX!!!!

11/02/2019 01:14 - Tim F.

Check camera...to see if she purchased that ticket Bp on church st Bet it was a Hispanic male..around 24th of October

11/02/2019 01:09 - Tim F.

Fraud

11/01/2019 11:21 - Sheila I.

@nclottery thank you!

11/01/2019 04:40 - Kimberly H.

Congrats!!!

11/01/2019 04:35 - Chris A.

@Sheila I. I can answer that question for you. This is the worst game ever for a player. I have purchased multiple rolls of this game and not a single one has been profitable. One roll had only one $50 WINNING ticket from 000-029. This is a game to really generate money for NCEL.... If you do play this game purchase one ticket and leave the store and don't look back. It is easy to chase that $50 or $100 WIN. Yeah there are some people who win on the first ticket and Yes that is a $40 or $90 profit, but don't be fooled this game is not your friend trust me on that!

11/01/2019 11:41 - Sheila I.

@nclottery. Question what is the meaning of the $10 card with only $50 or $100 winnings? When there are several $10 cards with $1 million million dollar prizes ??NC Lottery
Hi Sheila, Our goal is to offer a wide variety of tickets based on theme, price point and play style so everyone has a game that might interest them if they choose to play. Folks often ask for games where instead of one person winning a large prize, lots of people can win smaller prizes. The $50 or $100 game is a $10 game where the only prizes available are $50 or $100 prizes. This makes it so lots of players are able to win. Hope this helps explain the game a little.

11/01/2019 08:03 - Sheila I.

Congrats to you. Love the unique spelling of your name!!!

11/01/2019 03:37 - Edward R.

She probably deserves to win all that money

10/31/2019 11:32 - Linda J.

Congratulations!!??????

10/31/2019 11:15 - Janette B.

I am elated for you and congrats.

10/31/2019 05:14 - Sharon M.

I just get a big blank yellow-gold screen when I try to get on the websiteNC Lottery
Hey there Sharon, Please try clearing your cache and restarting your browser--that should fix that.

10/31/2019 04:57 - JIM B.

Yes-it shows the amount i entered for each (lucky reward) drawing but not the total for the month on each. Now if you click over to the 2nd chance it shows those totals. The lucky rewards needs to be set up that way also. Do you need me to come to Raleigh?NC Lottery
Hey Jim, Our team is hoping to get that added in the future. We apologize for the inconvenience.

10/31/2019 03:57 - Al B.

website not working properlyNC Lottery
Hi Al, We want to help, but we need a little more info. What kind of issues are you running into? Please try clearing your cache and restarting your browser.

10/31/2019 01:53 - JIM B.

Have to go to this posting page. Way too many on the we will answer your question page! I can't find my total draws for the 3 chances for November drawings. Please advise?NC Lottery
Hi Jim, Are you referring to your entries for the Lucke-Rewards drawings? You can view all of that info in your Dashboard. You can then choose to view your "Points History" to see which drawings you have submitted entries for. Hope this helps!

10/31/2019 01:52 - Denver G.

Congrats young lady, you have a winning smile! Treat yourself and family. Do your research and invest wisely.

10/31/2019 09:31 - Gregory F.

Congratulations what a wonderful Blessing enjoy your blessing. Waiting on my blessing.

10/31/2019 08:53 - Martha W.

Congratulations!

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‘My heart dropped,’ Winston-Salem fast food worker said of winning $200,000 prize

October 31, 2019 Posted by NC Lottery at 7:49 AM