Lottery player uses same series of numbers in NC — and it pays off in a big way
A man who consistently uses the same numbers in the North Carolina Education Lottery has finally seen his dedication pay off big time.
On Thursday, June 5, the Carolina Cash 5 drawing’s winning numbers were 5, 12, 19, 27 and 35, and that seemingly random set of digits made Antoine Williams a top-prize winner.
The jackpot was $439,972, lottery officials said in a June 10 news release. Williams, who lives in Fayetteville, paid $1 for the ticket while playing online.
No one appeared more surprised than Williams.
“It’s breathtaking to think about. I’m still in shock,” he told lottery officials.
His friends were also in disbelief, including a former union representative. “She went nuts,” he said in the release.
Why Williams clings to the same series of numbers was not revealed, but it helped him beat odds of 1 in 962,598, officials said.
He picked up his money at lottery headquarters in Raleigh on June 9, and the prize was adjusted $315,680 after taxes.
He plans to use his pot of money to buy a car, then invest in starting a logistics business, officials said.
Carolina Cash 5 is a rolling jackpot game with a prize that grows bigger until someone picks the right set of numbers.
This story was originally published June 12, 2025 at 7:46 AM with the headline "Lottery player uses same series of numbers in NC — and it pays off in a big way."