A Statesville resident turned a $3 online investment into $4 million after matching five white balls (56-66-67-68-69) in the recent Mega Millions drawing, missing only the Mega Ball (18). While the prize would normally be $1 million, the player purchased the Megaplier, which multiplied the payout four times, per WBTV reports.
This particular windfall ranks as the largest in the nation for that drawing. Despite the odds of matching the five white balls being 1 in 12.6 million, the Mega Millions game saw, not just the multimillion-dollar win in North Carolina, but also four $1 million prizes spread out across California, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, as detailed by the North Carolina Education Lottery. Meanwhile, the jackpot continues to climb, now sitting at an estimated $825 million for Friday’s draw.
A side note to this story, another North Carolinian from Charlotte joined the list of smaller prize winners, as they managed to snag a convenient $10,000 from a ticket purchased at a 7-Eleven on North Tryon Street. The winners of these lottery bonanzas have 180 days to step forward and claim what fortune has granted them. Tickets continue to sell, through both traditional retail locations and online via the lottery’s official website and mobile app, as the public dreams of striking it rich.
Playing smart is as important as playing with hope, which is why the North Carolina lottery emphasizes their "Play Smart, Gift Smart" campaign. It's a reminder, especially around the holiday season, that lottery tickets are a no-go for the kids. The campaign smartly ties in charity—encouraging participants to donate school supplies at lottery claim centers for a chance to win a prize. Those interested can get more details from the NC Education Lottery website, "Play Smart" section.
Amidst the typical flurry of lottery excitement, some may wonder about the origination of that lucky online ticket. According to a spokesperson for the N.C. Education Lottery, the golden ticket was purchased online by someone in Statesville, which the Charlotte Observer notes is about a 40-mile drive from Charlotte. This multi-million dollar stroke of luck has surely made this holiday season one for the record books for one lucky individual in the Tar Heel State.
