Introduction to Recent Lottery Wins
As 2025 begins, several individuals across the United States are celebrating significant lottery wins. From Western Pennsylvania to North Carolina, these lucky winners are starting the new year with substantial boosts to their bank accounts. This article explores some of the most notable lottery wins, highlighting the stories and the impact of these unexpected windfalls.
Big Wins in Western Pennsylvania
In Western Pennsylvania, the year kicked off with four major lottery winners. A Cash 5 ticket sold in Allegheny County brought home a whopping $650,000. The winning numbers for this ticket were 3, 15, 24, 33, and 36. The ticket was purchased at Coen Market on West Run Road in Homestead. Additionally, three Millionaire Raffle tickets worth $50,000 each were sold in Allegheny, Westmoreland, and Mercer Counties. These tickets were bought at Puff Discount Tobacco in Monroeville, Giant Eagle in Greensburg, and Wolf Creek Sunoco in Jackson Center, respectively. The main Millionaire Raffle drawing is set for January 4th, with four top prizes of $1 million each, and a total of 6,000 prizes will be awarded.
New Jersey’s Jersey Cash 5 Jackpot
A lucky player in New Jersey won the Jersey Cash 5 jackpot, taking home $657,679. This win adds to the excitement of the new year for lottery enthusiasts in the state. The details of where the winning ticket was purchased remain a mystery, but the win has certainly made headlines.
North Carolina’s $5 Million Scratch-Off Win
In North Carolina, a trucker named Melchor Aguilar struck it rich with a $5 million win from a scratch-off ticket. Aguilar purchased the 200X The Cash scratch-off ticket for $30 at the Kangaroo Express on East Swannanoa Avenue in Randolph County. He had the option to receive the prize as annual payments of $250,000 over 20 years or take a lump sum of $3 million. Aguilar chose the lump sum, receiving more than $2.1 million after taxes. The 200X The Cash lottery game, launched in March 2024, still has three of the $5 million prizes and eight of the $100,000 prizes unclaimed.
Iowa’s $150,000 Scratch-Off Winner
Daniel Bragg from Newton, Iowa, won $150,000 on a scratch-off lottery ticket. Bragg, who drives a 2001 Chevy Suburban with 849,000 miles, plans to buy a new car with his winnings. He purchased the winning ticket at Fareway in Newton and scratched it on New Year’s Eve. Despite the snowstorm, Bragg drove to the Iowa Lottery headquarters in Clive to claim his prize. The largest unclaimed lottery prize in Iowa as of January 3 is $390,000 from a Lucky for Life game played on December 15.
South Carolina’s $250,000 Scratch-Off Win
A woman in Fort Mill, South Carolina, won $250,000 on a scratch-off lottery ticket. She purchased the winning ticket at the RunX gas station off SC-160 at Gold Hill Road in York County. Surveillance video captured her excitement as she realized her ticket was a winner. Her odds of winning the $250,000 prize were 1 in 960,000. The store where the ticket was sold will receive a $2,500 commission for selling the winning ticket.
Conclusion: A Fortunate Start to 2025
The start of 2025 has been incredibly fortunate for several lottery players across the United States. From Pennsylvania to South Carolina, these winners have experienced life-changing moments thanks to their lottery wins. As these stories unfold, they serve as a reminder of the unexpected joy and opportunities that can come from a simple lottery ticket. Whether it’s buying a new car or securing financial stability, these winners are starting the new year on a high note.
