Two North Carolinians strike gold with $5 million Mega Millions haul

North Carolina residents are celebrating after two lucky Mega Millions tickets won a combined $5 million in Tuesday night's drawing.

Big wins in Asheville and Kernersville

The first winning ticket, purchased in Asheville for $2, matched all five white balls to secure a $1 million prize. The second ticket, a $3 Megaplier option bought in Kernersville using online play, also matched all five white balls. The Megaplier function multiplied the prize by four, bringing the total winnings to an incredible $4 million.

These two tickets were among only five nationwide to match all five white balls in Tuesday's drawing, with the remaining winners located in California and Florida. Notably, the $4 million win in North Carolina was the biggest prize won nationally for this drawing.

Drawing details and how to play Mega Millions

No winner emerged for Tuesday's jackpot, pushing the prize for Friday's drawing to a cool $228 million annuity or $103.4 million cash option.

Playing Mega Millions is simple. Pick five numbers from 1 to 70 and a Mega Ball number from 1 to 25. Tickets cost $2, with the Megaplier option available for an additional $1. This can multiply most prize levels by 2 to 5 times (excluding the jackpot).

The odds of matching all five white balls are a challenging 1 in 12.6 million, and two lucky North Carolinians defied them this week! Winners have 180 days to claim their prizes.

The North Carolina Education Lottery's mission and values

The NCEL isn't just about creating millionaires; it's about giving back to the state. Established in 2005, their mission is clear: to responsibly operate the lottery with the highest integrity and security to maximize net revenues raised for education programs identified by the legislature.

Integrity, respect, honesty, and trust are the cornerstones of the NCEL. These values are central to every decision they make, from game operations to prize payouts.

A history of funding education

In 2005, North Carolina joined the lottery world with a bang. The first scratch-off tickets went on sale in March 2006, followed by Powerball two months later. With a focus on responsible gaming and introducing new options like Carolina Pick 3/5 and later Powerball, the lottery quickly gained popularity.

By its third birthday, it had surpassed $1 billion in earnings, a significant portion of which directly benefited North Carolina's education system. This financial boost has helped fund everything from classroom resources and teacher salaries to pre-kindergarten programs and need-based college scholarships. The NCEL's commitment to education remains a core mission, ensuring that every ticket purchase contributes to a brighter future for North Carolina's students.

Enjoy the North Carolina Education Lottery, and please play responsibly.