A quick stop at a Wake Forest convenience store just turned into a life-changing haul for one Raleigh woman.
Michele Dancy of Raleigh hit the $400,000 top prize on a $5 $400,000 Jackpot scratch-off ticket and this week claimed her winnings at North Carolina Education Lottery headquarters. After required federal and state tax withholdings, she walked out with $288,041 in her pocket. The lucky ticket came from Ohm Quick Shop on Capital Boulevard in Wake Forest.
According to a news release from the North Carolina Education Lottery, Dancy arrived at lottery headquarters with the winning ticket to complete the claim process. Staff verified her identity, checked the ticket, handled the paperwork, and issued the net payout on the spot.
How the $400,000 Jackpot Game Works
The $400,000 Jackpot scratch-off launched in April 2024 as a $5 ticket and initially came with five top prizes of $400,000, according to scratchcards.net. Independent trackers list prize tiers and odds so players can see how many winning tickets are still floating around.
Per the lottery release via the North Carolina Education Lottery, Dancy’s win produced a $288,041 payout after withholdings, claimed at the lottery’s Raleigh headquarters. The same release notes that two of the game’s original five $400,000 top prizes are still unclaimed, so there is more money sitting in scratch-off limbo.
Capital Boulevard Shop Keeps Dealing Out Big Wins
Ohm Quick Shop already had a bit of a reputation for luck. Back in 2021, a Wake Forest customer bought a Bankroll ticket there that hit a $1 million top prize, according to ABC11. Big wins like these tend to give local stores a moment in the spotlight, and owners say the attention never hurts when it comes to foot traffic.
Dancy’s score is one of several notable mid-tier jackpots to pop up around the Triangle this year and serves as a timely reminder to check the bottom of your purse, wallet, or kitchen junk drawer for forgotten tickets. Lottery officials urge winners to take a breath, make a plan, and talk with financial or tax professionals before making any big-money moves.
