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news blog > article

Winner of largest Powerball jackpot in state history comes forward

June 5, 2019 Posted by NC Lottery at 7:05 PM
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 A 66-year-old grandfather from Cumberland County has come forward to claim his $344.6 million Powerball prize, making him the largest jackpot winner in state history.

For over two years, Charles W. Jackson Jr. has played Powerball and Mega Millions with the same numbers twice a week in hopes of winning it big. Little did Jackson know, when he made a routine stop at the Carlie C’s IGA on North Main Street in Hope Mills on Friday, his dreams of winning it big would come true and his life would change forever.

Jackson’s lucky ticket matched all six numbers in Saturday’s drawing, winning a $344.6 million prize. It’s the largest jackpot in state history.

“You play to win,” said Jackson. “But you never really expect to win the whole dang pot.”

On Sunday morning, Jackson didn’t check his tickets like usual. Monday passed — he had still forgotten. It wasn’t until Tuesday morning when he pulled out his lucky ticket that he realized just what he was holding.

“I didn’t see it all at first,” said Jackson. “I thought I had only matched four of the five white balls. I thought that meant I had only won $50,000. I called my wife and told her, ‘I need to go to Raleigh. I won something!’”

After he hung up the phone, Jackson quickly realized he had won a lot more than $50,000.

“I decided to check again,” said Jackson. “I saw the last number and thought, ‘I’ve won the whole thing!’ I didn’t know how much I had won until I googled it. I couldn’t believe it! I still can’t believe it. I’m numb.”

Jackson was presented with his big check at a ceremony at lottery headquarters on Tuesday evening. He had a choice of an estimated annuity of $344.6 million paid in 30 payments over 29 years or a lump sum payment of $223.3 million. He opted for the $223.3 million lump sum payment.

 

 

 The after-tax winnings of $158 million, Jackson said, is life-changing, but won’t change who he and his family is and what they are about.

“It probably won’t change much,” said Jackson. “I mean, let me put it this way, I will still wear jeans. But I will probably buy some new ones!”

In addition to buying some new jeans, Jackson said he wants to spread a little joy and pay it forward.

“I want to do something good,” said Jackson. “I’m going to pay it forward and donate to St. Jude Hospital, the Wounded Warriors Project, and the Shriners. I always said I would if I ever won the lottery. So I’m going to make due on that promise.”

Jackson’s win marks the seventh time North Carolina has won either a Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot. The state has seen five Powerball jackpot wins and two Mega Millions jackpot wins. His win eclipses the previous North Carolina jackpot record of $188 million in February of 2015.

Every $2 Powerball ticket sold raises 76 cents for education. Since the jackpot began rolling on March 30, Powerball ticket sales helped the lottery earn more than $8.9 million for education in North Carolina. 


52 COMMENTS

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4/13/2020 05:58 - cynthia w.

Congratulations!!! IM NEXT!!!!!

6/09/2019 09:13 - Kyle E.

Tim M. - Why do you get so irritated by the way some others play these games? Not knowing all of the game information isn't surprising and I know a lot of people who don't check their numbers for days or even weeks and if someone's ticket blows away that's a problem for them and no one else. How someone plays doesn't affect anyone else's play. I know if my wife and I ever won a big jackpot we'd likely claim it as quickly as possible so there'd be no chance of losing or damaging the ticket. It takes quite a while for the money to be gathered and released so we'd have plenty of time to talk to lawyers, accountants, etc and make any other needed plans.

6/08/2019 06:27 - Carletta C.

Congratulations to you and your family. Great way to pay it forward St. Jude Hospital is on the top of our list as well.

6/08/2019 07:50 - yvonne c.

congratulations to you and your family that is exactly the ones on my bucket list to donate to (only) then just random people I see or know that is working hard and still struggling good job

6/08/2019 05:10 - Carla H.

Congratulations Mr. Jackson. Spend wisely??????

6/07/2019 04:35 - Charlene W.

Tim B. I know right SMH. Something always fishy with these stories??!!

6/07/2019 10:56 - Alesia B.

Congratulations Mr. Jackson Blessings to you and your family

6/07/2019 09:09 - Charlie H.

Congratulations Mr. Jackson, I'm sure there are many who want to tell you what you did wrong but they didn't win. Enjoy!!!

6/07/2019 07:49 - Stephen C.

I am glad to for you. But I have a question if 76 cents goes to education why are the schools in such terrible shape building are old with a lot of them being built in the 50’s and 60’s. Is this because the the state legislature pull back funding when you make the lottery money available to them just asking. NC Lottery
Great Question, Stephen. Legislators decide how to best use the money raised by the lottery. They must weigh all the needs for our schools, from classroom supplies to teacher pay. While there might be different opinions on the best use of money raised by the lottery, that does not mean the way it is used today isn’t doing a lot of good. We share detailed information on where they money goes here:https://nclottery.com/education

6/06/2019 10:30 - JIM B.

3 Questions if I may? First-how much did the state of North Carolina receive in taxes on the lump sum payout? Second-did anybody ever claim the big jackpot that was hit in South Carolina? And lastly-if I am not mistaken when you have an account,checking or savings is not the FDIC only insuring a max of 250,000 per account? Takes a lot of accounts @ 250,000 each to insure 158 million! How does one sleep at night not knowing if their financial institution is going to go belly up one day? Where does one put all that money at? As always,thanks for your response.NC Lottery
These are all great questions, Jim! The state withholding for the lump sum payout was $11.7 million. Someone did end up claiming the jackpot that was hit in South Carolina, if you Google it you should be able to find more info on that! As for your last question, we don’t have all the details on how banks operate in this situation, so if you talk with your local bank they will most likely be able to answer your question.

6/06/2019 07:16 - DEMARIE T.

Congrats sir and nice to see you have very good causes to donate to.

6/06/2019 07:13 - Tim M.

I want to refer to what Charlene W. commented on. She pointed out how Mr. Jackson didn't take time to hire am attorney or anything. Really, he didn't even take time to think! I watched his news conference on WRAL. He was like winners I've commented on before. Remember the guy awhile back who just threw his tickets in the car and the wind blew some away? The guy was clueless, literally. Just throw them in the car and check them whenever, that is, what was left. Then, IF he thought he might've won something, ask someone else to let him know. Well, that's about how Mr. Jackson appeared on TV. "I thought I won 50 grand; Oops! I won the whole thing!" Then he had to google WHAT he won? He doesn't know how to check the website? And, when he realized WHAT he won, he called the wife, let's go to Raleigh! No time to take a breath and plan. No time to consult an attorney and accountant, etc. Just haphazardly go to Raleigh and be on the 6:00 news for ALL to see!

6/06/2019 06:54 - Gregory F.

Congratulations Mr. Jackson this is a awesome blessing .what GOD has for you is for you just be patient. He knows your heart and will come through. Enjoy this blessing in your retirement. Waiting on my blessing.

6/06/2019 05:22 - Stephanie R.

Congrats to you & your family. So glad someone in NC won. I dreamed of the day when I win big. I love your charities. Enjoy your winnings & buy as many pairs of jeans you want.

6/06/2019 05:04 - Faye M.

Congratulations!

6/06/2019 04:44 - Derrick B.

$3evfilms taking all donations!! Hope this brings more luck to us good folks in hopemills!! Way 2 go Mr. Jackson

6/06/2019 03:37 - Gary C.

Congratulations on bringing home the big win for you, your family and for North Carolina. Sometimes fortune cookies can lead you to a fortune!!!!

6/06/2019 03:24 - Jennifer W.

Congratulations ??????

6/06/2019 03:06 - Merline B.

great job and congrats

6/06/2019 02:55 - claudia p.

congrats that is me one day

6/06/2019 02:19 - joanie m.

Congratulations Charles what a grand win NC could use the win Happy winnings

6/06/2019 11:59 - Roslyn K.

CONGRATULATIONS TO YOU! JUST HAPPY SOMEONE IN NORTH CAROLINA WON YES!!!!!!

6/06/2019 10:55 - cheryl c.

he is in my neck of he woods maybe some of his goodluck will rub off on me. come on help your neighbor out. congrats on your big win

6/05/2019 07:33 - Denise H.

Congratulations Mr.Jackson!

6/05/2019 03:26 - Wanda M.

Congratulations Mr. Jackson ! I have a question for the NCEL. Explain the payment method y'all use to payout. If a person chose annuity ,you get all 344.6 over the 29 years, but a lump sum is 223.3 and THEN taxes is taken out.Where has the 121.3 gone to ? NC Lottery
You ask a great question, Wanda. Charles chose the lump sum option of $223 million rather than the annuity of $344.6 million. He received his entire prize this year after required taxes were withheld. If he had chosen the annuity, he would have received the $344 million over 29 year with his first payment being $5 million and his last payment being $21 million, being taxed at the state and federal rates each year. The way the annuity works is that the lottery takes the $223 million and invests it to pay the $334.6 million over time. Hope this helps explain things!

6/05/2019 02:39 - Johnnie L.

Well done. He and his family deserve it. I'm especially glad he is going to give to the Shrine. I'm a Shriner and the kids in the hospital and families could sure use it. God Bless him

6/05/2019 02:23 - Tom a.

Luck is swinging North Carolinas way. I encourage all those from Virginia and South Carolina living near the state lines to come to N.C to purchase your next round of Mega Millions tickets

6/05/2019 12:32 - David M.

Awesome! He claimed the money on my wife's 46th birthday! Congratulations Mr. Jackson.

6/05/2019 12:22 - Crystal M.

Congratulations to Mr. Jackson! That is awesome! I am so happy to hear that he is donating to St. Jude's Hospital. I will definitely do the same when it is my time for a jackpot win! :-)

6/05/2019 11:44 - clara a.

beautiful news, he won and the education too so he go to donate that is great. congrats!!!

6/05/2019 11:29 - Brenda S.

Love it, best of luck.

6/05/2019 07:20 - Quentin W.

Congratulations on the win and now you can get as many pair of jeans as your heart desires. Lol

6/05/2019 07:10 - marvin p.

awesome awesome awesome take care of u and that money great to see!

6/05/2019 06:56 - carolyn b.

WTG ON YOUR BIG WIN....YOU SOUND LIKE A GOOD PERSON...PAYING IT FORWARD...GOD HAS BLESSED YOU DONT FORGET CHURCHES.....I PRAY I GET MY TURN ONE DAY..GOD WILLING....

6/05/2019 06:55 - Randy B.

Congratulations on the big win!! It's nice to hear when good spirited people win.

6/05/2019 06:16 - Berry B.

God has Blessed you,njoy sir!!

6/05/2019 01:49 - Tiffany B.

Truly amazing! Congratulations!

6/05/2019 01:48 - Gayle T.

congratulations Charles!Enjoy your winnings and Thank you for paying it forward.God bless you and your family!

6/05/2019 01:16 - Charlene W.

With that kind of wealth or any amount , He should have taken more time to come forward and hiring an attorney and getting priorities together instead of coming out 24 hrs later.SMH

6/05/2019 12:05 - CERA D.

Wow! That was so fast.. I would’ve waited awhile but I understand the excitement. Congratulations to you and your family. I’m patiently waiting for my turn.

6/04/2019 11:58 - Ralph M.

What an awesome story. Congratulations Mr Jackson, I'm really glad to hear stories like this. Enjoy your winnings. ??

6/04/2019 10:25 - REGINA G.

Congratulations ??????..

6/04/2019 09:39 - Vicky L.

congrats to you and your family.

6/04/2019 09:15 - Douglas H.

Congratulations to the Jackson Family. We love that the first thing you thought about doing was donating to charities. So awesome. Please consider a local animal shelter :-). We’ve been lucky and have made sure not to forget our 4 legged friends in need. We could never give enough to those that gives so unconditionally You’ve chosen awesome charities. Thank you So happy for the Jackson Family! Love the blue jeans comment

6/04/2019 09:00 - Anthony C.

Very happy for him ,because i know my time is comming before year end . ha ha ha

6/04/2019 08:49 - James C.

Congratulations Sir what a blessing.. Praying my number fall soon.. especially before mom leave this Earth. ??

6/04/2019 08:46 - Melodie C.

Awwe that is great congrats sir..

6/04/2019 08:27 - Yvonne A.

God bless him and his family.

6/04/2019 07:50 - Jason L.

All that I can say is congratulations and WOW!

6/04/2019 07:40 - WILLIAM E.

Pure Luck!

6/04/2019 07:22 - Deborah T.

Congratulations Mr.Jackson! I love to hear that you are doing good things for the community and wonderful charities. You’re a wonderful man that is deserving of it! Glad to hear it was in our area????

6/04/2019 07:21 - Jennifer F.

Congratulations to Mr.Jackson.

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