Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Wilmington woman predicts big win, earns $200K from scratch-off

Natalie Carraway won $200,000 with a Hot 5’s scratch-off ticket from the Circle K on Carolina Beach Road. (Courtesy/NC Lottery)

WILMINGTON — A Wilmington woman predicted her own future by saying she would win big on a lottery scratch-off.

Natalie Caraway was adamant she would collect the top prize in the N.C. Lottery Hot 5’s game. Friday, she uncovered the $200,000 win.

Carraway, 46, bought her ticket at the Circle K on Carolina Beach Road and celebrated with her daughter inside the store.

“I just looked at her and started jumping up and down,” Carraway said. “And then I just started crying.”

As she lives nearby the convenience store, Carraway knows the manager personally.

“He told me he wouldn’t have wanted it to happen to anyone else,” she said.

On Monday, Carraway stopped by Raleigh headquarters to collect her prize, $142,501 after federal and state tax withholdings. She plans to use the money to pay bills, renovate her home and buy a new car.

The Hot 5’s game debuted in July with five top prizes of $200,000 each. One remains to be claimed.

Ticket sales from scratch-offs go toward public education. It raises about $2.5 million daily for schools. Last year, New Hanover County Schools received $11.5 million lottery proceeds.


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