Watauga County man notches $200,000 top prize

May 6, 2026 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:02 AM

Jeremy Mercer of Boone tried his luck on a digital instant game on Friday and won a $200,000 top prize.

He won his big prize on a $5 play in the 20 Years Celebration game. The odds of that win were 1 in 8 million.

He claimed his prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters and, after required federal and state tax withholdings, took home $144,021.

In the 20 Years Celebration digital instant game, a player can play from 50 cents to $20. Digital instant games are played exclusively online on the lottery’s website or on the NC Lottery Official Mobile App. Seventy-three different games are available to play online now.

6 COMMENTS

5/08/2026 08:43 - Donny S.

Seen this so I tried my luck and played a 10 dollar spin and got the bonus and I won 50 dollars thanks NCEL for my win now I can put gas in my car whoo hoo!NC Lottery
Congratulations on the win, Donny!

5/07/2026 06:22 - Jeff S.

You must play big i guess to win anything? I play $1 to 50cents never win nothing ever?NC Lottery
It can definitely take a lot of luck to be a winner! No matter what wager amount you're playing, you have a chance to win - you can view the odds for a game on each Digital Instants' game page.

5/07/2026 03:27 - Douglas H.

Congratulations! Not a fan of digital games When they first came out We won $250 on a spin win However, a few times we played since we’re just losing plays definitely not a fan. I wouldn’t mind if digitals went away. I think that they are sort of a dangerous game for people that play too much. Reading Angela’s note below is an example of how those digital games can get out of control Unless someone can really restrain themselves to play a certain amount, I can see where there’s many people that would lose so much money on those games Just like they say in Vegas, the house wins most of the time and on these digital games. I think the house wins 95% of the time Just my thoughts on

5/07/2026 08:33 - Angela A.

@NCEL played this game for over a hour last night never got 20 spins never got Coin and lost hundreds. Yet go on DEMO mode and third spin get BONUS over $900! Get real this system is flawed. Nothing to do with luck. No one can always get lucky on DEMO, but never playing for real money!

5/06/2026 01:10 - Mark M.

Thanks for finally saying what the bet was

5/06/2026 11:34 - Angela A.

@NCEL this game started off hot, but lately it is on straight take mode...I went through $500 like it was nothing! An you not seeing all those .50 winning $20K either now you have to play $2-$5, but please don't try $20 it robbed me for over $2K.

Watauga County man notches $200,000 top prize

May 6, 2026 Posted by NC Lottery at 11:02 AM

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

Big Thrills Served Fast.

Progressive Jackpot Estimate