North Carolina Lottery marks America's 250th with a raffle

The North Carolina Education Lottery hasn't offered a raffle game in years. That changes today.

To mark the nation's 250th anniversary, the North Carolina Lottery launches the Celebrate America Raffle, a limited-edition game built around one of America's most iconic milestones. It's a fitting tribute. And it comes with real money on the line.

The timing matters. America's 250th birthday is a once-in-a-generation moment. The North Carolina Lottery is leaning into that with a game designed specifically for the occasion. Don't expect this one to stick around.

How it works

Simple. Buy a $10 ticket. Get entered into the raffle. That's it.

No complicated play styles. No second-guessing your numbers. Every ticket is automatically entered into the drawing. Your only job is to purchase before the deadline.

Tickets are available exclusively online, on the North Carolina Lottery's official website or mobile app. No retail locations. No complications. If you haven't downloaded the app yet, now's a good time.

The prizes

Here's what's up for grabs:

• 20 tickets drawn will each win $2,500.
• 250 tickets drawn will each win $250.
• 2,000 tickets drawn will each win $25.

That's 2,270 total winners. The odds are appealing. If all 25,000 tickets sell, 1 in 11 wins a prize.

Can you win more than once?

Yes, but there's a catch. Each ticket carries the same odds of being drawn. Buy more tickets, improve your chances. But each ticket can only win one prize. Once a number is drawn, it's out of the running.

If you're serious about maximizing your odds, buying multiple tickets is the play. Just remember that each ticket stands on its own.

Ticket sales

Sales run from Tuesday, May 26, through Thursday, July 30, or until all 25,000 tickets are gone — whichever comes first. Given the excitement around this one, don't wait.

A brief history of North Carolina Lottery raffles

This isn't the Lottery's first attempt with a raffle format, but it's been several years.

The first North Carolina Lottery raffle launched in May 2007. The "Sizzlin' Millionaire Raffle" capped sales at 500,000 tickets. Within five days, more than 100,000 had already been sold.

On July 4, 2007, lottery officials drew 509 winning numbers. Four winning players took home $1 million each. Five more won $100,000. Another 500 walked away with $1,000 apiece.

Nearly two decades later, the Lottery brings the raffle back. But this time it celebrates 250 years of America.

Will you be holding a winning ticket this summer?