N.C. Lottery kickoff a huge success

Friday, March 31, 2006 posted 10:32 AM EST

WILMINGTON -- Despite a few problems, officials are calling North Carolina's lottery kickoff a huge success.

Some machines didn't work right away and some customers had to wait a while to get tickets. But first day sales could end up well past the $2 million estimated by state lottery officials.

"This is the second time I've played and I still haven't won anything. But that doesn't mean other people around the state haven't won. In just one day North Carolina paid out more than 1.5 million dollars in prize money."

Convenience store clerk Ashlei Bramlett said, "Ticket sales have been crazy. We have had lines to the back of the store; people are waiting in line for them. It's just been mayhem."

North Carolina started it's lottery with scratch-off games. It won't produce any million-dollar winners, but

John Muelchi tried his luck at the lottery. "I spent about $20 and won $8. That's not too bad."

The anticipation of the lottery drove many people to buy tickets on the first day. Officials believe they will sell about $10 million worth of tickets by early Friday morning.

Lottery Commissioner Bob Appleton said, "I don't think they'll stay quite that high. We're anticipating somewhere about three million a day."

The lottery doesn't just dish out prize money. About 35 percent of sales revenue goes to North Carolina's education programs.

Gov. Mike Easley said, "It gives us a sustainable revenue source for the pre-k, the college scholarships and the school construction. It'll be there for eternity, so I know when I go out of office the next governor won't have to find the money for these programs."

Extra money for schools, new business for many local stores -- supporters say that's why there will be a lot of winners from the state lottery.

If you do win some money in the lottery hold on to your ticket and you can claim your prize money at 5214 Market Street at the building that used to be Kangaroo Kuts. You have 90 days to claim the prize money.

The Powerball comes to North Carolina in May.

Related Links
	Lottery News & Stories
	North Carolina Lottery Results
	Search Past North Carolina Lottery Winning Numbers