Lee County man wins $496,217 jackpot playing Cash 5

January 3, 2025 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:01 AM

Gary Thomas of Sanford rang in the new year Thursday by collecting a Cash 5 jackpot of $496,217.

Thomas purchased his lucky ticket using Online Play. His ticket matched all five numbers in the Dec. 1 drawing, hitting the nearly half-a-million-dollar jackpot. The odds of matching numbers on all five balls are 1 in 962,598.

He claimed his prize at lottery headquarters Thursday and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $356,036.

Cash 5 is one of six lottery games in North Carolina where players have the option of buying their tickets at a retail location or with Online Play through the lottery’s website or the NC Lottery Official Mobile App. Friday’s jackpot stands at $110,000.

12 COMMENTS

1/08/2025 02:02 - R W B.

Glad there was a winner. All I ever win is a dollar. I'm like the fisherman in the old insurance commercial: "Ooh, so close! I've got you a dollar!"

1/07/2025 07:04 - Iurii A.

Sincerely happy for people who win. Their lives may change for the better if they are wise with the money.

1/07/2025 12:04 - Ellyn H.

Congratulations on your Blessings!!!

1/06/2025 09:48 - Sandra W.

Congratulations!

1/06/2025 12:17 - Tamiko R.

Congratulations! Please invest wisely. Stuff is just stuff and believe it or not...we don't need that much "stuff" (smile). Kind regards.

1/06/2025 07:41 - Gloria C.

Congratulations to you. Enjoy your winnings.

1/05/2025 06:43 - Tatiana D.

NCEL, you have a promotion this month for draw games. However, when I try to enter my tickets, bought this month, my points are not multiplied.NC Lottery
Hi, Tatiana! We apologize for any confusion. The 10X bonus points apply only to draw games purchased through Online Play! Tickets purchased at retailers or lottery vending machines would not be eligible for the additional points. https://nclottery.com/PromotionsSpecialty#243

1/05/2025 05:13 - joanie m.

Congratulations my favorite game cash 5

1/05/2025 08:38 - Michelle B.

Congratulations Gary! You need to run some of that luck onto me!

1/04/2025 11:39 - shirley b.

Hi just tell me why the trips are played with the fireball. Please tell us zi know low payout!!!!!¡!!!

1/04/2025 04:03 - Edith A.

Were the winning ticket a quick pick?NC Lottery
Hi Edith, this winning ticket was purchased with Online Play. The player did not share any additional info on how they selected their numbers.

1/03/2025 11:36 - Vivian p.

Congratulations Gary,enjoy

Lee County man wins $496,217 jackpot playing Cash 5

January 3, 2025 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:01 AM

Win up to $1,000,000 every 4 minutes

Big Thrills Served Fast.

Progressive Jackpot Estimate