Ray Walker: Man cashes $1 lotto ticket for $1 million Carolina Cash 5 prize
A man has cashed in a $1 lotto ticket for an over $1 million prize.
Ray Walker screamed in shock after his $1 ticket for the Carolina Cash 5 lotto turned out to have the winning numbers.
“I hollered and jumped up and down,” he said. “I let out a big old yell.”
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.Mr Walker, a local of Gastonia in North Carolina, said he went to check his October 21 ticket in the early hours of the next morning, according to a statement posted by NC Lottery
“I had to wet my face a little bit to make sure I wasn’t dreaming,” he said.
The odds of Mr Walker winning the $1,565,714 jackpot by getting five matching balls were just 1 in 962,598. He became the first winner to take home a prize over $1 million since August 2024.
“I only slept an hour [that] night,” Mr Walker said. “I’m numb.”
The jackpot winner bought his Quick Pick ticket from Kingsway on East Ozark Ave in Gastonia.
He went to claim his cash prize from the lottery headquarters in Raleigh and was left with $1,123,400 after federal and state tax was applied.
Mr Walker said the win “couldn’t have come at a better time” and that he plans to put his winnings straight into the bank and take a trip to see his family in Florida.
Well-wishers flooded Mr Walker with congratulatory messages after his big win.
“Congrats Ray I’m glad for you. Say good timing, yes enjoy, be wise and treat yourself. With the holidays coming, you’ll enjoy that trip to Florida,” one user wrote on the NC Lottery message board.
“Woooooooo Hooooooooo! Congratulations to Mr Ray Walker of Gastonia!!!! This is a wonderful blessing and we are so happy for you!!”
