Who doesn’t dream of striking it rich playing the North Carolina Education Lottery? For some Wilmington-area residents, the dream really did come true in 2024. Here’s a look at some of those winners.
Ricky Todd’s scratch-off ticket purchase turned into a major prize in November. The Leland resident scored on a $20 ticket with a $100,000 prize.
Todd bought his lucky $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe ticket from the Food Lion on Village Road in Leland.
After required tax withholdings, he took home $71,506.
A $10 scratch-off ticket proved lucky for Rosa Sanchez of Rocky Point.
In October, Sanchez bought her lucky 50X The Cash ticket from PMG PM on N.C. 210 in Rocky Point and won a $1 million top prize.
She had the choice of receiving an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. She chose the $600,000 and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $429,003.22.
Every time he plays the lottery, John Ross picks up his phone. No, he’s not making a call — he’s using the phone as a tool.
“I just close my eyes and point at random numbers,” Ross said in a news release from the North Carolina Lottery.
The strategy paid off as he was playing the Lucky for Life game. Ross bought the lucky $2 ticket using Online Play, and won his prize by matching all five white balls in the July drawing.
“The day of the drawing was actually my wife’s birthday,” Ross said. “It’s hard to believe.”
Ross, 56, said he likes to play Lucky for Life the same way each time, purchasing a single ticket.
Ross had the choice of receiving $25,000 a year for the rest of his life or a $390,000 lump sum. He chose the $390,000 lump sum and, after required state and federal tax withholdings, took home $278,851.
“This will help get me to where I need to be for retirement,” he said.
Ross said he also planned to use his winnings to pay bills and donate to charity.
By keeping a tradition alive, William Bon Viso came out a winner.
Bon Viso usually receives scratch-offs as a Father’s Day gift from his aunt. But this year instead of any scratch-offs, he received $20 cash. He kept the tradition and bought the tickets himself.
“A $20 Father’s Day gift became a blessing,” Bon Viso said.
When the Wilmington man checked his ticket, he started shaking because he couldn’t believe how much he won — $250,000.
“I was like in another world,” he recalled. “I was on a cloud.”
Bon Viso bought his lucky 20X The Cash ticket from the Walmart on Sigmon Road in Wilmington.
“Life is just all about timing,” Bon Viso said. “It just shows you have to always follow your gut.”
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In June, John Robbins won the lottery for the second time in just two years.
Robbins took home a $100,000 prize from a $30 Black Titanium scratch-off ticket. In May 2022, he won a $2 million prize from an Ultimate 7’s ticket.
Robbins’ second winning ticket was purchased from the Han-Dee Hugo’s on North College Road in Wilmington — the same store where his first winning ticket was purchased.
“I was told lightning can’t strike twice but I guess it can,” Robbins said in the release. “I was definitely excited because I have some dreams I want to work on.”
After state and federal taxes, Robbins took home a total of $71,509.
“My dream is to make a difference in Wilmington,” Robbins said in a news release. “I want to give back to people here who are less fortunate. I want to do something to help change that.”
Avid golfer Jack Romans Jr. won a $100,000 scratch-off prize.
The Calabash resident bought a $2,000,000 Diamond Deluxe ticket from RM Mart on Seaside Road Southwest in Sunset Beach.
“I’m going to get a new set of irons,” Romans said.
After required federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $71,506.
“It’s my birthday in a week,” he said in May when he claimed his prize. “This is a nice early birthday present.”
Romans said he also plans to pay some bills with his winnings.
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Stacey Miller won more than $100,000 from a $40 Carolina Keno ticket.
The Southport woman purchased her ticket at Eshangi BP on Southport Supply Road in February.
The $40 ticket played for five shares. She drew a 5X multiplier for a $4,500 prize, bringing her win to a total of $112,500.
After federal and state taxes, she took home $80,686.
George Rongotes Jr. spent $5 on a Fast Play lottery ticket and scored a $154,166 jackpot win.
The Wilmington man bought his ticket from the Ludas Social Club, a bar he owns, on Carolina Beach Road.
He purchased his Double Win ticket on Jan. 3, when the jackpot stood at $308,332.
He received 50% of the progressive jackpot since he had purchased a $5 ticket. After state and federal tax withholdings, he took home $99,051.
Hipolito Berrocales spent $1 on a Cash 5 lottery ticket and took home a $491,290 jackpot.
Berrocales purchased his ticket from the Han-Dee Hugo’s on Northwest Road in Leland.
With odds of 1 in 962,598, Berrocales matched all five numbers on his ticket.
The Leland resident took home $351,273 after state and federal taxes.
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