RALEIGH, N.C. – A mother of five from Elm City experienced the shock of a lifetime when a $1 digital instant game ticket transformed her family’s future, awarding her a $4.7 million jackpot in what marks the second-largest digital instant prize in North Carolina lottery history.
Cesaltina Ribeiro, who recently became a grandmother, immediately reached for her phone to share the extraordinary news with her children after winning the top-level “Grand Fortune” jackpot in the Outlaw’s Loot game on Thursday.
Family Celebration Turns to Confusion
“I got them on a video call and told them, ‘We are millionaires,'” Ribeiro recalled, describing the moment she broke the news to her family.
The emotional revelation didn’t go as smoothly as planned. Her children initially grew nervous when she called, unsure of what was happening.
“I kept yelling so they didn’t know what was going on,” Ribeiro laughed, reflecting on the chaotic but joyful moment.
Million-to-One Odds Overcome
Ribeiro was relaxing at home in bed when she hit the progressive jackpot in the digital instant game. The Outlaw’s Loot game features a progressive jackpot that can be won at any time, with odds of winning set at 1 in 50 million.
“It’s an amazing feeling,” she said. “Now I can do a lot more.”
Prize Claim and Future Plans
On Monday, Ribeiro officially claimed her prize at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After required federal and state tax withholdings, she took home $3,374,512.
The new millionaire has outlined several plans for her windfall, including making investments, taking her family on a vacation, and purchasing a house for her loved ones.
Digital Instant Game Milestone
Ribeiro’s win represents a significant milestone for North Carolina’s digital instant games, which debuted in November 2023. Her victory stands as the second-biggest digital instant win in the state’s history.
Following her jackpot win, the Outlaw’s Loot progressive jackpot reset to $150,000. As of Monday afternoon, it had already climbed to over $326,000.
Multi-State Gaming Expansion
The Outlaw’s Loot game represents North Carolina’s second multi-state digital instant offering, available across North Carolina, Virginia, and Pennsylvania. This multi-state approach allows jackpots to grow more rapidly, with potential winners emerging from any of the three participating states.
Growing Digital Platform
Digital instant games are played exclusively online through the lottery’s official website or the NC Lottery Official Mobile App. Currently, 48 different games are available for online play, representing a significant expansion of the lottery’s digital offerings.
Community Impact
The North Carolina lottery continues to support local education initiatives through its funding programs. A recent example includes a $15 million grant that helped Wilson County Schools build the Wilson Academy of Applied Technology, demonstrating how lottery proceeds directly benefit local communities.
For more information about the lottery’s impact on local communities, residents can visit www.nclottery.com and access the “Impact” section for detailed information about how lottery funds support education and other initiatives throughout the state.
