Wilmington man wins $100,000 Cash 5 jackpot
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A Wilmington man is celebrating a six-figure win after hitting the $100,000 Cash 5 jackpot.
Michael Pepper said he needed some time to let it sink in after learning he matched all five numbers in Saturday’s drawing.
“It was a surreal moment,” Pepper said. “You never really expect to win big, but there’s always that chance.”
Pepper bought his lucky $1 Quick Pick ticket through Online Play. The odds of hitting the jackpot are 1 in 962,598.
“I thought it was fake at first,” he said. “Then I texted my brother and said, ‘It looks like I’m a winner.’”
Pepper claimed his prize Thursday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After federal and state tax withholdings, he took home $71,750. He said he plans to invest some of his winnings and buy a new computer.
Cash 5 is one of six lottery games offered in North Carolina. Tickets can be purchased at retail locations or online through the NC Lottery website or mobile app.
Friday night’s Cash 5 jackpot is worth $130,000.
