07-05-2025
$1 million lottery win is a ‘once-in-a-lifetime dream' for North Carolina man
National $1 million lottery win is a 'once-in-a-lifetime dream' for North Carolina man
A North Carolina lottery winner fulfilled a 'once-in-a-lifetime dream.'
N.C. Education Lottery
A lottery player followed his instinct — and scored a $1 million prize in North Carolina.
'It was like a once-in-a-lifetime dream,' winner Kenneth Formyduval told the N.C. Education Lottery.
Formyduval hit the jackpot after he stopped at a Minuteman Food Mart in Whiteville, a roughly 115-mile drive south from Raleigh. While there, he felt drawn to a ticket for the Max-A-Million game.
'I just got a wild hair and decided to buy one,' the prize winner, who lives in Whiteville, told lottery officials in a May 6 news release. 'Something just told me to get that ticket.'
Kenneth Formyduval of Whiteville bought a $30 MAX-A-MILLION scratch-off from Minuteman Food Mart on South Madison Street and won a $1 million top prize! 'It was like a once-in-a-lifetime dream,' he said. Now he is planning to pay off his truck. Congrats! — NC Education Lottery (@nclottery) May 6, 2025
Then, Formyduval discovered his $30 ticket won the scratch-off game's top prize. He celebrated the good news with a co-worker.
'He gave me a fist bump,' the lucky winner told lottery officials.
Formyduval — who chose to take his prize as a lump sum of $600,000 — kept $430,508 after taxes. Now, he hopes to put the money toward his truck or a new house.
It's not the first time someone got richer after following their intuition. Another North Carolina lottery player 'trusted her gut' before she scored a big win, McClatchy News reported in April.
Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.
If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.
SJ Simone Jasper
The News & Observer Go to X Email this person 919-836-5768
Simone Jasper is a reporter covering breaking stories for The News & Observer and real-time news in the Carolinas.
