Lottery player kept routine of buying 5 NC tickets at once. Then he got ‘lucky break’

A warehouse worker said he got his “lucky break” after he won a big prize when he was entered into a lottery promotion, according to the North Carolina Education Lottery.

Craig Cox, 59, of Mount Airy won $100,000 after he unknowingly entered into a Cash 5 Bonus Cash promotion, a release from the lottery says.

Players who spend $5 or more on a Carolina Cash ticket can be entered into the drawing, according to the lottery.

Cox was entered into the drawing after he bought his ticket at a convenience store in Mount Airy, the release says. Each drawing includes one $100,000 prize and 40 $500 prizes.

“Most of the time when I play Cash 5 I buy five tickets,” he said, according to the release. “I guess this was a lucky break for me.”

Cox collected his prize on Jan. 23, and after tax withholdings, took home $71,250, the release says.

“This is definitely going to help me,” he told lottery officials.

He said he plans to use the money to do home renovations.

One more Cash 5 Bonus Cash drawing is scheduled for Jan. 30, the release says. The deadline for entry is Jan. 29.

Mount Airy is about 140 miles northwest of Raleigh.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

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