Clayton, September 21, 2025
News Summary
Jhonatan Hurtado Espinal from Clayton has won the first $1 million top prize in North Carolina’s $1,000,000 Bonus Match game. He purchased his winning ticket from Compare Foods. The new game offers five top prizes, with four still unclaimed. Espinal opted for a lump sum payment of $600,000, taking home $430,503 after taxes. This win comes amid increased lottery activity in the area, including another notable Powerball winner.
Johnston County Resident Wins First $1 Million Prize in North Carolina’s New Lotto Game
Clayton, N.C. — Jhonatan Hurtado Espinal, a resident of Clayton, has become the first player to win the $1 million top prize in North Carolina’s newest lottery game, the $1,000,000 Bonus Match. The prize was claimed after Espinal purchased a ticket from Compare Foods on East Second Street in Clayton.
Details of the Winning Ticket and Game
The $1,000,000 Bonus Match game officially debuted in August 2023 and was designed to attract new and existing players with a chance to win one of five top prizes of $1 million. As of now, four $1 million prizes remain unclaimed in the game, offering continued opportunities for players to win.
Prize Options and Disbursement
Upon winning, Espinal was given two options for receiving his prize: an annuity of $50,000 annually for 20 years or a lump sum payment. He opted for the latter, receiving a pre-tax amount of $600,000. Following state and federal tax deductions, Espinal’s final take-home amount was $430,503.
Announcement and Broader Context
The lottery win was publicly announced by the North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL), which manages the state’s various scratch-off and draw games. The announcement coincides with recent heightened lottery activity in the region, including a separate significant win.
Recent Lottery Wins in North Carolina
Earlier this month, another resident of Clayton claimed a $2 million Powerball prize, marking a notable recent jackpot win. The individual matched five white ball numbers in a Powerball drawing and purchased an online ticket with the Power Play option for $3.
Odds and Jackpot Details
The chance of winning the Powerball jackpot remains extremely slim, with odds approximately 1 in 292 million. The current Powerball jackpot has grown to $1.3 billion, with the potential for a lump sum payment of $589 million to the winner if claimed now. The size of the jackpot continues to attract large numbers of players nationwide.
Responsible Gambling and Support Resources
The report emphasizes the importance of responsible gambling. Individuals who have concerns about their gambling habits are encouraged to contact the NC Problem Gambling Helpline. This resource offers support and assistance to those seeking help in managing gambling-related issues.
Overall, the recent lottery activity in North Carolina highlights both the community’s enthusiasm for gaming and the ongoing opportunities for substantial prizes in state lotteries. The winner of the $1 million prize in the Bonus Match game is now among those who have capitalized on the latest gaming options available locally.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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South Carolina Lottery Draw Results Announced
Mega Millions Jackpot Rises to $423 Million
North Carolina Man Wins $100,000 Lottery Prize and Gifts It to Wife
Thousands of Lottery Players Win Big with 2-2-2 Combination
South Carolina Lottery Announces Winning Numbers and Prizes
Three South Carolina Residents Win $50,000 Each in Powerball Drawings
Major Changes to Mega Millions Increase Jackpots and Adjust Rules
Two Winning Tickets Split Massive Lottery Jackpot
Additional Resources
- ABC11 News
- WCNC News
- WXII 12 News
- North Carolina Lottery News
- The News Observer
- Wikipedia: Lottery
- Google Search: North Carolina Education Lottery
- Google Scholar: lottery winnings
- Encyclopedia Britannica: lottery
- Google News: North Carolina lottery news
Author: HERE Greenwood
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