Corey Hamilton of Clinton, a Sampson County man, turned a $1 Cash 5 ticket into a momentous $130,000 just days before hitting a personal milestone: his 40th birthday. As reported by CBS17, Hamilton purchased his lucky ticket at Han-Dee Hugo's on Southeast Boulevard in Clinton and woke up early the next morning to discover his win.
Hamilton recounted the moment of disbelief, describing the early morning shock to ABC11 saying, "I woke up at 3:30 and I was like, 'Wait a second, that can't be right.'" The odds of winning such a prize were 1 in 962,598, but fortune seemed to be on his side, aligning with his birthday celebrations and giving him reasons to look forward to his 40th year.
After the excitement settled down, Hamilton went to the lottery headquarters on Thursday as stated by NC Lottery to claim his winnings. Following the required federal and state tax withholdings, $93,275 was the sum that he took home. With the newfound wealth, Hamilton plans to channel the funds into practical matters: purchasing a new truck, paying bills, and bolstering his nest egg for retirement.
Explaining the significance of this win, Hamilton mentioned to CBS17, "It has kind of all lined up since I turn 40 on Saturday." The lottery game that proved so lucrative for Hamilton, Cash 5, is one of six options offered by the North Carolina Education Lottery, where players can purchase tickets at retail locations or via online platforms, including an official mobile app. With these multiple avenues, accessibility to the game is wide, opening up more chances for individuals to test their luck against the formidable odds.
