Edward Estes’ luck paid off when he became one of two winners of a $455,084 Cash 5 jackpot.
“My first reaction was I thought it was an April Fool’s joke,” he recalled.
Estes, of Greensboro, tried his luck and bought a Quick Pick ticket for the April 1 drawing through Online Play on the lottery’s website.
“It was almost unbelievable,” he said.
His ticket was one of two to match all five balls in the drawing. The other winning ticket was won by Rhodora Reeves of Elizabeth City.
Estes claimed his prize Wednesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $160,986.
“I’m probably just going to put it in the bank and let it stay there,” said Estes of his winnings.
Carolina Cash 5 tickets are $1 and drawings are held every night. Friday’s jackpot is $263,000.
The odds of winning a Cash 5 jackpot are 1 in 962,598.
Cash 5 is one of four lottery games in North Carolina where players have the option of buying their tickets through Online Play on the lottery’s website or with the NC Lottery Official Mobile App.
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