North Carolina Man Wins Over $1 Million After Spending Just $1 On Lottery

A North Carolina man could hardly believe his luck after winning over $1 million his local lottery.

Ray Walker of Gastonia, a town about 25 miles west of Charlotte, bought a $1 Cash 5 ticket for the Tuesday, Oct. 21, jackpot from a Kingsway convenience store, according to a news release from North Carolina Lottery (NC Lottery). He specifically bought a “Quick Pick” ticket – meaning a computer randomly picked five numbers for him.

Walker said he checked his ticket just after midnight on Wednesday, Oct. 22, and was shocked to find he had won the $1,022,795 jackpot.

“I was screaming and jumping up and down. I let out a big old scream,” he recalled speaking to the NC Lottery.

“I had to wet my face a little to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” he added with a laugh.

Walker went on to say he is still processing the news.

“I only slept an hour last night. I’m stiff,” he said, adding, “This couldn’t have come at a better time.”

Walker accepted his prize on Oct. 22 at NC Lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After state and federal taxeshe ultimately took home $733,856, per release.

He said he plans to put the money into savings and possibly take a trip to Florida to see family.

NC Lottery profits go to support educational programs across the state, according to the NC Lottery’s official website. Lotto raised over $1 billion for education in the state by 2024.