Birthday Surprise: Brunswick County Mom Wins $626K Jackpot

Brunswick County Mom Hits $626K Jackpot on Her Birthday

Chelsea Carter got the birthday surprise of a lifetime—winning over $626,000 while playing the Monopoly digital instant game.

It all happened around 2 a.m. on September 10, when Carter, who cleans houses for a living, took a chance on a $10 play and hit the Grand Fortune jackpot.

“I was in shock,” she said. “I started shaking my husband, yelling, ‘Wake up, I just won $626,000!’ He just laughed and went back to sleep.”

When she claimed her prize at lottery headquarters, taxes trimmed it down to $449,548—still an incredible birthday gift.

“This is the best birthday present ever. I want to turn 40 every year if this is how it goes,” Carter joked.

So what’s next? She’s got big plans:

• Invest wisely

• Buy land

• Build a safety net for her three kids

Carter admitted she cried, laughed, and felt completely overwhelmed. “It’s a blessing,” she said. “Every day people can win something like this—and this time, it was us.”

For context, the odds of snagging the Grand Fortune prize on a $10 play are a staggering 1 in 5 million.