Buncombe County woman celebrates $3 million scratch-off win

September 26, 2022 Posted by NC Lottery at 8:30 AM

Elizabeth Rathburn of Candler tried her luck on a $30 scratch-off and won a $3 million prize.

Rathburn bought her lucky Fabulous Fortune ticket from Boone’s Convenience Corner on Smoky Park Highway in Candler.

When Rathburn arrived at lottery headquarters Friday to collect her prize, she had a decision to make. She could choose to receive the prize as an annuity of $150,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $1.8 million. She chose the lump-sum amount of $1.8 million and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $1,278,189.

Fabulous Fortune debuted in July with six $3 million prizes and 18 $100,000 prizes. Three $3 million prizes and 12 $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

19 COMMENTS

9/30/2022 08:22 - NaTosha C.

Hey Mark D, I’ve noticed they always seem to be in little small out of the way towns.

9/27/2022 10:35 - Tim M.

LZ, so what you're saying then is that my QP would've had to been 500 in some combination, drawn as such, and then if 5 was drawn, I win? Not simply replacing a number like I thought I did with the 1NC Lottery
Hi, Tim! Your numbers would have to be some combination of the lottery numbers or the lottery numbers with the Fireball replacement within them (so 500 or 502 or 200 would have all been winners). Fireball can replace any of the lottery-drawn numbers but your numbers don't change.

9/27/2022 10:13 - NC Lottery

@Tim - Thanks for your comment! Fireball can replace any of the lottery-drawn numbers, but not your own - those always remain the same. With the drawn numbers of 0-0-2 and the Fireball number 5, you could make the additional combinations of 5-0-2, 0-5-2, or 0-0-5, and if you had those in any order you would be a winner with the 50/50 play style. But since you had 1-0-0, the Fireball does not replace the 1 in your numbers, it can only replace one of the lottery-drawn numbers to help you make more matches. Hope this helps to clarify!

9/27/2022 08:32 - Mark D.

Anybody ever notice that really big wins tend to be in blue counties and cities? Kind of makes you wonder…. Congratulations, Elizabeth! So glad you were blessed.

9/27/2022 07:34 - Darlene E.

Congrats on your win!!!

9/27/2022 07:14 - Natalie R.

Congratulations!

9/27/2022 06:39 - William A.

When is the lottery going to put out a new 10 million dollar ticket? These tickets are terrible. I bought 10 straight yesterday for a big $50 dollar win

9/27/2022 04:31 - Tim M.

Hey LZ! Concerning Fireball, I know I'm not that familiar with it yet but I'm pretty sure I won a prize Monday night but the scanner on my app says NO PRIZE DUE OR TICKET EXPIRED. I got 100 in a QP. I played the Fireball option: YES. I played it 50/50. 002 was drawn. Since I played Fireball and 50/50, my 100 should be equivalent to 010 and 001. Since I played Fireball I should be able to replace the 1 I have with the 5 drawn for Fireball, i.e., 500, 050, 005. According to your prize structure this should be a $30 winner yet my phone app doesn't scan it as such. Could it be that the app itself WON'T scan for Fireball since it just came out and I haven't redone my app since you put it on Google Play? But also let me know if I won here please. Thanks!

9/26/2022 11:27 - Louis A.

Congratulations,nice win.

9/26/2022 11:26 - Connie M.

That's awesome ??!!! The key is to win on a scratch tkt that's has 3 mill and up for a top prize. That way, YOU actually GET A MILLION !??

9/26/2022 09:27 - Sabrina D S.

Congrats!!

9/26/2022 07:15 - wilhemenia j.

Congratulations

9/26/2022 06:58 - cynthia w.

CONGRATULATIONS!!! IM NEXT!!!

9/26/2022 03:36 - Crystal H.

Congratulations

9/26/2022 12:25 - Steve L. P.

That's a pretty good payday

9/26/2022 10:28 - James T.

Congratulations

9/26/2022 10:26 - Roger K.

I've been playing the LFL game here lately. I usually play my picks on it for a 5 day draw. Well this time,I didn't play one of my picks, cause I wanted to add another number instead. Wouldn't you know it, the number I didn't play of my picks came out with 4 numbers correct. I could have won 200.00 dollars on it,if I would have left it on the ticket. Guess that's how the cookie crumbles. Missed playing it just one time, then it hits. I was sick to my stomach. I will be playing all my picks for every draw. PB,MM,LFL and cash 5 from now on. None of them won't be left out from now on. Good luck everyone.

9/26/2022 10:18 - Roger K.

Congratulations on your big win! 1,278,189 take home ain't to shabby. Enjoy your newfound wealth. Spend it wisely!

9/26/2022 08:48 - Albert N.

congrats

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Buncombe County woman celebrates $3 million scratch-off win

September 26, 2022 Posted by NC Lottery at 8:30 AM