Shepherd claimed his prize at the lottery headquarters on December 1, and after required state and federal tax withholdings, walked away with $683,651 in cash. He told lottery officials that he would have been happy just to double his money, highlighting the surprise and delight of the win.
“I was just killing time out of boredom … when it stopped at the jackpot,” Shepherd recalled. “I was ecstatic.”
The digital instant game Shepherd played features a progressive jackpot that can grow until it is won, and the odds of landing the top prize were approximately 1 in 10 million.
Shepherd shared plans to invest a portion of his winnings and hinted that he might treat himself to a new truck — a modest yet meaningful way to enjoy his unexpected fortune.
The North Carolina Education Lottery — which has contributed billions to support public education programs across the state — continues to draw interest in digital instant games, where players can participate anytime through the official app or website.
