10 extraordinary NC lottery wins that changed lives forever

These articles highlight North Carolina residents who win large lottery prizes that impact their lives. Each story shows various games, prize levels, and the ways winners discover and claim their awards.

A veteran buys a ticket at Walmart during a grocery run and takes home a $2 million prize. A woman scratches off a $5 Mega Bucks ticket in her truck and plans to buy a house with her $200,000 win. A player uses a $10 Jumbo Bucks ticket and wins $1 million, bringing home $430,503 after taxes. Another ticket purchased at a Quality Mart store leads to a Lucky for Life prize of $25,000 a year for life. Some Powerball players come close to huge jackpots but still win prizes up to $150,000 thanks to added options like Power Play. The articles tell how daily routines, chance decisions, and different stores across the state become the settings for these wins. Winners often have the choice between lump sums or annuities after taxes. Many describe plans for the money, like buying homes or paying off debts.

A longtime lottery player’s luck finally changed in the Maryland Powerball, winning them a big prize.

NO. 1: WINNER PLANS TO BUY HOUSE WITH NC LOTTERY TOP PRIZE. ‘WE REALLY NEEDED THIS’

The winning ticket was purchased at Vale Mart & Hardware in North Carolina. | Published September 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Natalie Demaree

NO. 2: TWO POWERBALL PLAYERS MISS JACKPOT — BUT STILL WIN BIG IN NC. WHERE WERE TICKETS SOLD?

Here’s what to know about the lucky wins. | Published October 7, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

NO. 3: POWERBALL PLAYER JUST MISSES JACKPOT — BUT STILL WINS BIG IN NC. WHERE WAS TICKET SOLD?

The player was one number away from scoring a $337 million jackpot prize. | Published October 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

NO. 4: LOTTERY TICKET SOLD IN NC IS WORTH $25,000 A YEAR FOR LIFE. WHERE DID WINNER BUY IT?

Here’s what we know about the big win. | Published November 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

A North Carolina veteran won a $2 million jackpot on a Walmart grocery run for his wife, NC lottery officials said.

NO. 5: WALMART GROCERY RUN FOR WIFE NETS NC VETERAN A LOTTERY JACKPOT. “COULD NOT BELIEVE IT’

The man’s wife said, “You need to come in here,” after she scratched off the ticket when he returned home, according to the lottery. | Published November 27, 2024 | Read Full Story by Joe Marusak

The winning ticket was purchased at the Curve View Express on West Warren Street in Shelby, N.C. Lottery officials said.

NO. 6: LOTTERY PLAYER COMES FORWARD DAYS AFTER WINNING OVER $320,000 ON $1 TICKET IN NC

The odds of winning a jackpot are 1 in 962,598. | Published February 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

The lucky $10 Jumbo Bucks ticket was purchased at the Lake Toxaway Trading Post in Lake Toxaway, N.C Education Lottery officials said.

NO. 7: WIFE ‘WENT CRAZY’ AFTER REALIZING HER HUSBAND WON LIFE-CHANGING JACKPOT IN NC LOTTERY

She’s going to get a new car, he says. | Published February 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mark Price

Someone in Conway, SC won an over $300,000 lottery ticket, organizers announced on Thursday morning. By Simone Jasper

NO. 8: POWERBALL PLAYER MISSED $483M PRIZE — BUT STILL WON BIG IN NC. WHERE WAS TICKET SOLD?

The player’s ticket was one number from hitting the jackpot. | Published March 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

NO. 9: LOTTERY PLAYER HITS THE JACKPOT IN NORTH CAROLINA. WHERE WAS THE LUCKY TICKET SOLD?

Here’s what to know about the big win. | Published March 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

NO. 10: POWERBALL PLAYER JUST MISSES $250 MILLION PRIZE, STILL WINS BIG IN NORTH CAROLINA

Here’s where the lucky ticket was sold. | Published July 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Simone Jasper

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.