A big winning scratch off lottery ticket is sold out in Wilmington

A $5 scratch-off lottery ticket has paid off in a big way for a local man. Steven Bell purchased a Mega Bucks ticket from the Circle K on Castle Hayne Road in Castle Hayne.

Soon, he learned he won a $200,000 prize. Bell collected his prize at the N.C. Education Lottery headquarters in Raleigh on Monday and took home $142,501, after required state and federal tax withholdings.

Bell's prize was one of eight $200,000 prizes in the Mega Bucks game, which debuted in June. Four $200,000 prizes remain. Ticket sales from scratch-off games help raise $2.5 million a day on average for education.

The winning ticket has sparked a wave of excitement and speculation within the community, as neighbors and friends eagerly try to uncover the identity of the fortunate winner.

The unexpected windfall promises to be life-changing for the lucky resident, who can now look forward to a brighter and more prosperous future.