Wake County man ‘still shaking’ after $150,000 win

November 17, 2020 Posted by NC Lottery at 8:53 AM

Thomas Pianelli of Raleigh was sitting in his car on Monday morning when his $5 scratch-off ticket revealed a $150,000 top prize.

“I just sat there staring at the ticket in amazement,” he recalled.

Pianelli, a former service manager for an industrial truck business, purchased his winning Holiday Luck X50 ticket from the Buffaloe Express on Buffaloe Road in Raleigh.

“I recently retired and a couple times a week, I go to the corner store and purchase a couple scratch offs,” he said. “I did the same thing this morning and after scratching the Holiday ticket I’m still shaking!”

Pianelli claimed his prize Monday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $106,126.

“Definitely some savings and helping out the kids, of course,” said Pianelli of his plans for the prize money.

Holiday Luck X50 launched this month with three top prizes of $150,000. One top prize remains to be won.

13 COMMENTS

11/19/2020 08:35 - Denver G.

Dang !!! That didn't take long. Back to back C5 wins. Tuesday instore(Sanford), last night online. And the 3rd & final $mil top prize on the new $20 holiday ticket has been claimed. Heck they just came out less then 3 weeks ago.

11/19/2020 06:38 - Ruby O.

CONGRATULATON!!! I HAVEN'T GIVEN UP YET. I BELIEVE THAT I WILL BE BLESSED TOO.

11/19/2020 12:18 - shirley b.

Hi Is it true that NCEL is going digital and will stop using slips.NC Lottery
Hi Shirley, the lottery does not have plans to stop using playslips at this time.

11/19/2020 12:11 - shirley b.

Congratulations!!!!

11/18/2020 09:07 - Deborah A.

Early merry christmas! Santa came to town early.God Bless.

11/18/2020 05:41 - Dorothy M.

Not just same people but big counties. I guess I’ll wait to get to a big city to play and stop contributing to the fund. NC Lottery
Hi Dorothy, we wish every ticket could be a lucky one, but that is just not the case. If you were to move to Raleigh, you'd have more neighbors; if you moved to a tiny town you'd have less. But what everyone would have in common in all those places is each individual would have the exact same chance of winning a lottery prize!

11/17/2020 05:46 - Rita H.

Great News. Seems like the same people win I play all the time missed one day and bam my number hits after playing it 2yrs. Somethings seem shady to me, but I continue to play.

11/17/2020 02:36 - Michael B.

Ncel? How many scratches are on a roll for $20? I see the count stops at the 28th and 29th ticket. NC Lottery
Hi Michael, there are 30 tickets on a roll of $20 scratch-offs.

11/17/2020 02:26 - Denver G.

CONGRATS. Twill be Happy Holidays indeed !!!! ENJOY your bounty .

11/17/2020 01:56 - DL H.

Santa came early to your house! Congratulations:-) to Thomas and his family

11/17/2020 12:30 - Casselle W.

CONGRATS MY FRIEND, KEEP ON STEPPING INTO THE BLESSINGS THAT ARE MEANT FOR YOU!

11/17/2020 12:20 - JIM B.

Pray tell me how to get rid of your aggravating Dream Makers Pop Up? I could care less about sharing my thoughts with you. You would not want my thoughts to be shared. I just want to win! Thank You!NC Lottery
Hi Jim, you are able to click the "x" and close the pop up. We'll share your comment with our web development team about having an option to opt out of seeing the pop up. Thanks!

11/17/2020 09:54 - Linda S.

lucky, lucky, you - enjoy!

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