North Carolinians can win over half a billion dollars in jackpots this weekend

December 17, 2021 Posted by NC Lottery at 9:01 AM

North Carolinians have the chance this weekend to play for a Powerball jackpot and a Mega Millions jackpot that together now exceed half a billion dollars.

The Powerball jackpot for Saturday’s drawing has reached an estimated $353 million as an annuity, or $256 million cash. The jackpot has been growing since the Oct. 4 drawing when a ticket sold in California won a $699.8 million jackpot, the 5th largest in Powerball history.

The Mega Millions jackpot is rolling too and is now up to an estimated $160 million as an annuity, or $115.7 million in cash for Friday’s drawing.

The combined jackpots between Powerball and Mega Millions total an estimated $513 million.

“Half a billion dollars in jackpots is very exciting,” said Mark Michalko, executive director of the N.C. Education Lottery. “Winning either jackpot would be life changing. Good luck to all our North Carolina players.”

While the Powerball jackpot continues to climb, several North Carolinians have won significant amounts of money in other Powerball drawings. A Lincoln County man won $100,000 in Saturday’s drawing. Saturday’s winning ticket marked the sixth time that someone in North Carolina has won a prize between $100,000 and $1 million since the Powerball jackpot was last won on Oct. 4.

Players can buy Powerball or Mega Millions tickets at any lottery retail location or through Online Play on the lottery’s website, www.nclottery.com, and with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.

14 COMMENTS

12/21/2021 09:31 - Darlene E.

Yes the clerk told me the lottery has updated the systems. To if you have say 5 tickets to play and the first one has a number that's blocked then all the rest will not print. THAT'S NOT RIGHT!!!! BLOCKING numbers isn't right either. Other states don't do that.Also why not change the payout of 600.00 to 599.00 and let retailers pay it out, instead of going to GSO for 600.00( eventho no taxes come out). NC Get with the program.

12/20/2021 09:36 - wanda s.

Good luck to us all. I'm not a greedy person I don't want the whole pie a tiny slice would be a blessing. I choose Blessing not cursing. Thank you Jesus for loving us all. Amen ??

12/20/2021 09:18 - Angela A.

@NCEL you all need to get these terminals fixed, because it cost me a $500 WIN! When you try to play a number that is BLOCKED the system freezes up and anything in the queue do not print. I had played a number and did not get the ticket, because the clerk was not sure how to reboot the system, thus I did not get my WINNING ticket. I know this is the case, because I witness it at another store when a guy was trying to play 999 then the system froze and clerk had to reboot. You all are costing people money with this last update!NC Lottery
Hi Angela, we apologize for the inconvenience and frustration caused by this experience - this is certainly not the experience we want for our players! We will pass this report along to our engineers, and we apologize again for the inconvenience.

12/20/2021 05:01 - Tiara J.

Hello, When will the Mega power flash and holiday winnings second chance scratch offs be drawn? The draw dates were supposed to me in November and December 8th. Thank you NC Lottery
Hi Tiara, the first Holiday Winnings drawing occured on December 8 and the second drawing is scheduled for February 9. The Mega Power Flash Second Chance drawing took place on November 3.

12/19/2021 05:15 - Greg B.

Good Luck to everyone. I played since Lottery started in NC, 3 pick, 4 pick, Cash 5, Powerball, Mega, and Lucke-Reward constantly and nothing. Congrats to all the winner over the years.

12/19/2021 12:02 - Joel J.

Playing all year and no win especially for small town folks,very depressing.robbing us dry.

12/19/2021 09:45 - Michael R.

NCEL what's up with this computer glitch when you try to play all the quads and the lottery machines freeze after it get to the quads 1111? Its frustrating for the cashiers and playersNC Lottery
Hi Michael, thanks for commenting! We apologize for the inconvenience and frustration caused as a result. Sometimes with popular numbers, they reach the liability limit and cannot be played, and as a result, the ticket does not print any of the values. Thus, it's important to check that tickets print correctly and if playing a number that has reached the liability limit, one may need to re-purchase without that number. We again apologize for the inconvenience, and we will pass this information along to our engineers.

12/19/2021 06:29 - john m.

would make it a better christmas

12/18/2021 10:35 - Demarcus P.

Nice dream when you play everyday and still don’t win speaks volumes for small town people! Has been a real waste of money and it’s definitely been taking our money this year guess it’ll be another record sales year!

12/18/2021 09:58 - Christopher O.

I'm 65 and living on an income of 1,800.00 per month. I need to win too.

12/18/2021 12:59 - Cynthia C.

Oh my gosh what a dream if we won .

12/18/2021 11:01 - Pam M.

My Day is Coming. Keeping the Faith.

12/18/2021 07:44 - Pam M.

When is the last time someone in NC won the Powerball and/or Mega Millions JACKPOT?NC Lottery
Hi Pam, great question! The last time someone from NC won the Powerball jackpot was in 2019 - Charles W. Jackson Jr. won $344.6 million! For Mega Millions, the last time a NC player won the jackpot was in 2011 by the Jones Family, who won $113 million with 2 winning tickets. Hope this helps!

12/18/2021 06:30 - Jason D.

I need to win

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North Carolinians can win over half a billion dollars in jackpots this weekend

December 17, 2021 Posted by NC Lottery at 9:01 AM