The North Carolina Education Lottery has been around since 2006.

Van Denton, the director of corporate communications at the NC Education Lottery, said many people in North Carolina have won the lottery multiple times.

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"Most people who have played regularly over the last 16 years have won a lottery prize multiple times," he said. "[In 2022], the lottery paid out $2.54 billion in prizes, about $6.9 million a day on average. So, there are lots of winners every day across our state.

"Some prizes make your day. Some make your week. And some are life-changing. A few winners have won big prizes multiple times."

Top lottery prizes claimed in U.S.

In April, the Associated Press compiled the largest U.S. jackpots won and the states where the winning tickets were sold:

1. $2.04 billion, Powerball, Nov. 7, 2022 (one ticket, from California)

2. $1.765 billion, Powerball, Oct. 11, 2023 (one ticket, from California)

3. $1.602 billion, Mega Millions, Aug. 8, 2023 (one ticket, from Florida)

4. $1.586 billion, Powerball, Jan. 13, 2016 (three tickets, from California, Florida and Tennessee)

5. $1.537 billion, Mega Millions, Oct. 23, 2018 (one ticket, from South Carolina)

6. $1.348 billion, Mega Millions, Jan. 13, 2023 (one ticket, from Maine)

7. $1.337 billion, Mega Millions, July 29, 2022 (one ticket, from Illinois)

8. $1.326 billion, Powerball, April 7, 2024 (one ticket, Oregon)

9. $1.13 billion, Mega Millions, March 26, 2024 (one ticket, from New Jersey)

10. $1.08 billion, Powerball, July 19, 2023 (one ticket, from California)

In 2023, North Carolinans spent an average of $11.9 million a day on lottery tickets. That includes scratchoffs, North Carolina lottery tickets and the national lotteries – Powerball and Mega Millions.

In 2023, players in North Carolina won, on average, more than $7.8 million per day in prizes, according to the state. The state said players won prizes of $1 million or more 91 times in 2023.

 Denton said payment is easy for those who win.

If someone wins $599 or less, they can collect their prize wherever lottery tickets are sold. If someone wins between $600 and $99,999, they can collect their prize at one of the lottery’s regional offices in Asheville, Charlotte, Greensboro, Raleigh, Greenville or Wilmington. If someone wins $100,000 or more, they claim their prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh.

The North Carolina Education Lottery considers a winner's name, city, county and the prize amount a matter of public record unless the winner produces a valid protective order or Address Confidentiality Program authorization card.

You can find more info on claiming a prize on the Claim Prizes website.

Denton said all the money raised by the lottery goes to support public education programs.

N.C. Education Lottery surpasses $1 billion for second consecutive year

  • In 2023, the North Carolina Education Lottery raised more than $1 billion to support public education throughout the state. It marked the second year in a row the state surpassed $1 billion in funds raised through the lottery.
    • More than half of the money raised went to North Carolina counties to help build and repair public schools. All counties get funds to help build and repair schools and some, based on need, can receive grants up to $62 million to help build a new school.

      Additional highlights

      • From its start through June 30, 2024, the North Carolina Education Lottery has raised more than $11 billion since it started.
        • The North Carolina General Assembly decides each year in the state budget how to use the money raised by the lottery.

          NC winners of nationwide lottery jackpots

          So far, seven North Carolinians have won a jackpot in either the Powerball or Mega Millions game, with jackpots ranging from $12.5 million to $344 million.

          The biggest winner so far is Charles Jackson of Cumberland County who won a $344.6 million Powerball jackpot in June 2019 after using numbers from a fortune cookie.

          In May, a Gaston County man won $10 million, which is the largest prize in the state this year.

          In February, a Cumberland County man won $212,500, which was the largest instant scratch winner this year in North Carolina.

          A fun fact that people may not know, Denton said, is players can also win other prizes besides money. Lottery players can win fun trips and VIP experiences.