Wilmington NC man misses Powerball jackpot by just one number
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A Wilmington man's visit to the Food Lion on Oleander Drive proved productive when he spent $3 on a Power Play lottery ticket and ended up winning $100,000. But it could've been way more productive.
According to a news release from Jonathan LaRowe, public relations specialist with the N.C. Education Lottery, James Sterling of Wilmington's win came during the Sept. 30 Powerball drawing.
Sterling was oh-so-close to getting the big prize, as he matched the numbers on the red Powerball and on four of the five white balls to win $50,000, with his prize doubling "when the 2X multiplier hit," according to the release.
Sterling claimed his prize at lottery headquarters Monday and took home $71,394 after taxes.
Wednesday's Powerball drawing is now the second biggest in U.S. history at $1.73 billion, or $756.6 million in cash. Tickets can be purchased in person at a lottery retail location, at the N.C. Education Lottery's website or through the official N.C. Lottery mobile app.
Proceeds go to fund education in North Carolina to the tune of nearly $2.8 million per day, and while it may be exciting to play, the odds are decidedly not in your favor: According to the lottery itself, odds of hitting the Powerball jackpot are just about 1 in 292 million.
