Raeford Man Wins $138K Lottery Jackpot With $2 Ticket

James Willis from Raeford struck big. He won $138,213 on a $2 Fast Play ticket he picked up at a Fayetteville shop. Willis grabbed his 10X The Cash ticket on Nov. 30 at Short Trip on Stoney Point Road.

The pot stood at $691,065 when Willis bought his ticket, and since he spent just $2, he claimed 20% of what had accumulated in the game's progressive jackpot system.

Willis arrived at the lottery headquarters on Wednesday. Tax withholdings cut into his winnings, leaving him with $99,528 to take home.

Fast Play works differently from most lottery games. The jackpot climbs with each ticket sold statewide until somebody wins, growing moment by moment as players across North Carolina make purchases.

Ticket prices determine prize percentages. Spend more, and you'll snag a bigger slice of the pot if you win.

Hoke County schools have benefited from lottery proceeds. Over $47 million in grants helped build a new high school there.

Lottery dollars flow into schools throughout North Carolina, funding construction projects, paying teachers, and supporting various programs that serve students and staff. Anyone curious about Hoke County's allocation can check the lottery website's "Impact" section for specifics.

Retailers earn commissions when customers buy winners at their locations. Fast Play tickets are available at authorized retailers statewide, but this game differs from scratch-offs because the top prize fluctuates constantly.