Lottery player tired of waiting in line buys ticket from machine. It paid off big in NC
A sluggish line in a grocery store led an engineer to buy a lottery ticket using a machine instead of waiting her turn — a decision that turned into a six-figure payday.
Debra Ross, who lives in Charlotte, was trying to buy a lottery ticket at the counter in the Publix on South Tryon Street on April 7 when she got tired of waiting for the woman in front of her, she told lottery officials in an April 11 news release.
“The lady in front of me at the counter was taking too long so I walked over to the machine to buy there instead,” Ross said.
The “last-minute decision” won her $100,000 in the $25 Spectacular Riches game.
“I saw the amount and was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s $100,000,’” Ross told lottery officials. “That was a good Friday on Good Friday.”
Ross took home $71,257 after taxes and plans to use her winnings to pay some bills and put away some savings, according to lottery officials.