In this Powerball winner story, a North Carolina veteran discovered his matching numbers and could hardly sleep knowing he’d won big.
When Donald Smiley of Cherokee, NC, won a $150,000 Powerball prize on October 9th, he was gobsmacked.
“I was so excited I didn’t even know what to do,” the retired Army veteran said. “I definitely couldn’t sleep!”
The lucky ticket was a $3 Quick Pick he purchased at the Travel Center on U.S. 441 North in Whittier. He won $50,000 in the drawing by matching the numbers on four white balls and the red Powerball. Since he purchased a Power Play ticket, his prize tripled to $150,000, thanks to the 3X multiplier.
“I was like, ‘Am I reading this right?” Smiley recalled. “I’m still so excited.”
A Powerball Power Play ticket is an optional add-on feature. A Power Play ticket can be purchased at an additional cost to increase the value of non-jackpot prizes.Before the Powerball drawing, a Power Play multiplier (with 2X, 3X, 4X, 5X, or 10X boosts) is randomly selected. If you win a non-jackpot prize, it’s multiplied by the drawn multiplier.The odds of winning an official Powerball jackpot are one in 292 million.
Smiley collected his winnings on October 21st at lottery headquarters, taking home $107,251 after the required federal and state tax withholdings. He shared that his winnings will go toward checking a few bills off his to-do list.
North Carolina boasts five jackpot wins to date. Here are just a few others in the state who found themselves holding a winning Powerball ticket.
North Carolina Powerball ticket sales contribute significantly to the state’s education funding. Fun fact: The NC Powerball raises over $900 million per year for education initiatives, supporting various programs across all 100 counties.
For residents in participating states, there are a few fun and simple ways to play Powerball: in-person, online, or via a cellphone app.If you prefer to play in person, you must purchase a ticket from an authorized Powerball retailer, like your favorite gas station, convenience store, or supermarket. You’ll need to choose between a Quick Pick (where the store’s computer randomly generates the numbers for you) or manually selecting your own numbers. Then, a physical ticket will be printed out and handed to you.
If you prefer the added convenience of playing online, visit your state’s Powerball website. (Every state that participates in Powerball has one.) To buy tickets and play, you’ll need to set up an online account and enter proof of age and payment information. The website will generate your tickets digitally (either with numbers you select or through Quick Pick) once they’re purchased. You can check the winning Powerball numbers directly on the website and claim your prize if you win, too.
For those on-the-go, playing Powerball via a cellphone app is the most convenient option, as it offers the same features and functionality as the website.
Remember, however, only prizes that are $600 or less can be cashed in via the website. For winnings over $600, you'll need to visit the State Lottery Commission to claim your prize.
No matter how you choose to play Powerball, play responsibly by setting a budget. And have fun!