RALEIGH – Clinton residents B.A. Gautier, Albert Smith, Joy Darden and Wilda Falatovich are celebrating after winning $1 million playing Powerball.
The four friends matched all five white balls but not the red Powerball in Wednesday’s drawing. They purchased the lucky $2 Quick Pick ticket at the Piggly Wiggly on Northeast Boulevard in Clinton.
After splitting the prize four ways, they each collected a check for $173,126 after required state and federal withholdings.
Powerball players’ next chance to win comes Saturday night. The jackpot is an estimated $138 million if taken as an annuity or $86.3 million if the lump sum option is chosen. Odds of matching all six numbers to win the jackpot are 1 in 175 million.
Friday’s Mega Millions jackpot is even bigger. It is a $194 million annuity, worth $117 million cash. Odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 258 million.
Ticket sales have made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $3.8 billion for the state. Net proceeds will be used this year to help pay salaries of teachers and teacher assistants, for pre-kindergarten programs for at-risk four-year-olds, for school construction and repair, and need-based college scholarships and financial aid.
For details on how $28 million in lottery funds have made a difference for specific education programs in Sampson County, click on the “Where the Money Goes” tab on the lottery’s website.