Cleveland County woman collects $1 million scratch-off prize

May 22, 2024 Posted by NC Lottery at 3:38 PM

Tawanna Calhoun of Shelby tried her luck on a $50 scratch-off and won a $1 million prize.

Calhoun bought her lucky $10 Million Spectacular ticket from BJ’s Quick Stop on Fallston Road in Shelby.

When Calhoun arrived Tuesday to collect her winnings, she had a decision to make. She could choose to receive her prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $429,014.

The $10 Million Spectacular game debuted in December with five top prizes of $10 million, 20 prizes of $1 million and 20 prizes of $100,000. Three $10 million prizes, 12 $1 million prizes and 10 $100,000 prizes remain to be claimed.

The state provided over $27 million in grants, using money raised by the lottery, to help Cleveland County with school construction. For details on other ways Cleveland County benefits from lottery funds, visit www.nclottery.com and click on the “Impact” section.

7 COMMENTS

5/24/2024 09:05 - Angela A.

LOL...Bison Bonanza (Major) hit this morning I am telling you there is something about the mornings the JACKPOT keeps getting hit after players play all evening and night. Wheel of Bonuses is a slow game it will take all that time and give you five out of the need six wedges to get the bonus and then nothing :(NC Lottery
Hey there, Angela! We did see a lucky winner from Wheel of Bonuses this morning (this game shares the progressive jackpot with Bison Bonanza), but no matter what time of day or where you play, your odds of winning are the same - it just takes a lot of luck!

5/23/2024 05:12 - NC Lottery

Hi, @Angela A! When you play Digital Instants, your ticket is played against a "full deck" of all the possible outcomes, so each purchase has the same chance to win every prize, including the top prize. The outcome of a play is determined once you click the Play button and the system randomly selects an outcome, and the number of people playing doesn't affect your chances of winning. Theoretically, two people could receive the same outcome of a game at the same time since it's randomly determined with each play, but since there isn't a set amount of prizes for these games, this wouldn't impact your win - your odds of winning are the same!

5/23/2024 09:54 - Angela A.

This is so crazy just went back in Digital Instants (BISON BONANZA)and the BIG is reset... I just lost myself a few hundred and nothing and someone gets the Jackpot....What is going on there is no way this is just lucky clicking...I been watching this thing all morning playing different price points...

5/23/2024 09:09 - Angela A.

Congrats! I want to know @NCEL does it matter how many people are playing the Digital Instant games, because you all talk about a ticket....so there is no possibility of two tickets being drawn at the same time? I been playing all night off and on and it just don't seem like a bonus even want to come to give you a chance at the jackpots...Just lost $200 on a $.50 and $1 bet again no bonus and the Major and Big Jackpots are right around that amount people keep hitting yet I am not even getting the opportunity. Another quick $200.... SMH!NC Lottery
Hi, Angela! We responded to your comment, but due to character limits we had to add it as a new comment in this thread. Please see above for our response!

5/23/2024 06:02 - Tracy N.

Congratulations! What time approximately was the Fast Play in New Bern won on May 21st?NC Lottery
Hey there, Tracy! We had a Fast Play jackpot winner in Wilmington on May 20th, this was won around 7:34 PM on 5/20: https://x.com/nclottery/status/1792913294862209138.

5/22/2024 11:30 - shirley b.

Really NCEL should have been trips.

5/22/2024 09:14 - Sharrone p.

Congratulations!! My hometown’s on the map!!

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Cleveland County woman collects $1 million scratch-off prize

May 22, 2024 Posted by NC Lottery at 3:38 PM