Rockingham County man “just kept seeing zeroes,” wins $1 million

February 15, 2022 Posted by NC Lottery at 8:29 AM

Paul Bray Jr. of Reidsville said he seldom plays the lottery, but took a chance Friday when he got a lucky feeling and saw his $10 ticket grow into a $1 million prize.

“I thought it was $1,000 at first,” Bray said. “But I just kept seeing zeroes.”

Bray, 57, bought his Big Cash Payout ticket from the S & L Country Market on U.S. 158 in Reidsville.

“I’m just a country boy and I’ve never won anything like this,” Bray said. “I almost had a heart attack.”

When Bray arrived at lottery headquarters Monday, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump-sum amount of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $426,063.

Bray said he is planning to use the winnings to build a house for himself and his wife.

The Big Cash Payout game launched in December with four top prizes of $1 million. One top prize remains to be claimed.

27 COMMENTS

2/28/2022 10:51 - Eugene H.

While I'm on my soapbox, the NCEL should also reward more players through LUCKE rewards as well. Instead of the 2 $20,000 winners in this month's Casino Cash, you could have 40 $1000 winners.

2/28/2022 10:45 - Eugene H.

I agree with Michelle B. If the NCEL doesn't change, you're going to lose a lot of players. I plan to do my part to throw shade on NCEL. Enjoy it! I am done buying scratch tickets, and I will only play the Cash5 once it gets over $300K. Likewise with Powerball and MegaMillions; they are a rip off because NC players rarely win a big prize.

2/19/2022 02:19 - Alton T.

Mr Bray choose the lump sum payout My question is What happen to the 400,000 he didn't receive ThanksNC Lottery
Hey there, Alton! The winner chooses either a $1 million annuity as the prize or a $600,000 lump sum. The same tax withholding is apply to either win. With the annuity, you have the withholding done each year as you get your $50,000 annuity for 20 years. With the lump sum, it is done only one time. The lottery used to only pay the $1 million prizes as annuities but players asked for a choice of lump sum and so we provided the choice.

2/17/2022 10:19 - Monte W.

1234 digits hit 16 times since June 2011. It would take 13.69 yrs to have every combination hit if each time that number was removed. It had been over three yrs since my last winner finally came.

2/17/2022 08:47 - Michelle A.

Congrats ??

2/17/2022 01:23 - Sabrina D S.

Congrats!!

2/16/2022 11:56 - Michael R.

NCEL pick 4s are the hardest code to crack. Can't hit it to save my life. No popular numbers ever drawn. Where's 1234? That rarely come even in any order.NC Lottery
Hey, Michael! All combinations of numbers, regardless of popularity, have the same odds of being drawn in every drawing. And since our drawings are independent events, results of previous drawings do not have any bearing on future draws, so a combination could have been drawn yesterday, a month ago, or never, and it would still have the same odds in the next drawing. We hope your favorite number hits soon!

2/16/2022 11:42 - Bryant G.

Required holdings ? More like we taking 3/4 of what u earned buddy he won a million dollars and only took home $426000. The state gets $599,574. I will tell the State to go jump in a Lake you will get a flat fee of $499.00 LOL the state is like the mafia shaking down small business owners like mom n pop stores for every dime they earn. Smh then When u need to file a disability claim after u worked at the same company for 30 years they deny your claim after u paid $$$$$$ into the account Smh congratulations Bud.

2/16/2022 09:54 - Frankie T.

Will we ever be able to buy the Cash 5 double draw online???? ThanksNC Lottery
Hi there, Frankie! While at this time we don't offer Double Draw or EZ Match for Cash 5 online, we hope to be able to have more features for our players in the future, and feedback like yours helps the folks who make those decisions know what our players want to see!

2/16/2022 12:26 - Cheryl W.

Congratulations! Happy for you!

2/15/2022 10:23 - Michelle B.

I keep seeing a lot of $000000000000’s too! Especially on scratch offs. Not what they once were, used to be fun, win a little back here and there. But not any more! Not worth it.

2/15/2022 10:22 - annie s.

congratulations

2/15/2022 10:22 - annie s.

congratulations

2/15/2022 09:14 - Jami R.

Yes it does say 1MIL. I looked at the sample ticket to be sure. So just how did he keep seeing zeroes? Interesting.

2/15/2022 09:06 - Patricia A.

Congratulations!!!

2/15/2022 07:49 - Darlene M.

Congratulations

2/15/2022 06:41 - Thomas H.

Many blessings to you.

2/15/2022 05:53 - Denver G.

Maybe he had visions of zeros dancing around in his head instead of sugar plums .

2/15/2022 04:36 - dennis c.

Unbelievable

2/15/2022 04:22 - Lisa H.

Congratulations!!

2/15/2022 03:06 - Monica S.

Congratulations ??, what a blessing, Glory to God ??

2/15/2022 02:43 - Anita A.

Congrats:)

2/15/2022 01:41 - Radford H.

How does someone keep seeing zero's?. Its gonna say 1 mil on the ticket. Even scanning the ticket will say go to reigional office. Lol

2/15/2022 12:42 - ricky k.

That was good

2/15/2022 10:20 - Roger K.

Congratulations on your newfound wealth. Spend it wisely, maybe invest some of it.

2/15/2022 10:05 - Lois S.

Congratulations!

2/15/2022 10:00 - Gloria C.

Congratulations to you both and I wish you many more wonderful wins.

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Rockingham County man “just kept seeing zeroes,” wins $1 million

February 15, 2022 Posted by NC Lottery at 8:29 AM

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