CHESHIRE, CT — A recent wave of lottery luck has swept across the United States, with several players hitting life-changing jackpots in different states. In Cheshire, Connecticut, a local resident scored big with a winning scratch ticket worth $50,000. The ticket, a CA$H PLU$ scratch-off, was purchased at Sunshine Convenience Store, located at 539 West Main St. The Connecticut Lottery has been proactive in ensuring the privacy of its winners; as of April 3, 2025, the lottery has altered its policy by no longer disclosing the full names of winners to protect them from potential scams.
Meanwhile, in North Carolina, a lottery player is celebrating a remarkable win after purchasing a Lucky for Life ticket that matched all but one number in the April 2 drawing. The winning numbers included white balls 18-22-35-36-43, with the gold Lucky Ball being 8. This ticket, sold at Fast Mart on The Plaza in Charlotte, guarantees the winner $25,000 a year for life. However, as of early April 3, no one had claimed the prize, which remains available for up to six months before expiration.
In Georgia, another player struck gold by winning $190,443 in the Fantasy 5 drawing held on March 30, 2025. The lucky ticket sold at a Save A Ton convenience store in Hinesville matched all five winning numbers: 2-22-32-33-34. The odds of winning this jackpot were steep, at 1-in-850,668. As of April 3, it was unclear if the ticket had been claimed, but winners in Georgia are encouraged to sign the back of their tickets and have 180 days to claim their prizes.
Across the state line in New York, excitement was also in the air as a lucky winner on Staten Island took home a whopping $500,000 from a first-prize BIG Money x20 scratch-off ticket. This winning ticket was sold in February 2025 at Romi Cards & Gifts, also known as Card$mart, located at 3161 Amboy Road in Oakwood. Interestingly, this location has become a hot spot for lottery winners, having sold another winning TAKE 5 ticket just weeks earlier. The $500,000 winning ticket has already been claimed, but it’s worth noting that the overall odds of winning any prize with the BIG Money x20 scratch-off is one in four, while the odds of winning the top prize are significantly tougher at one in 3,028,066.
The New York Lottery continues to play a crucial role in funding education across the state, contributing an impressive $3.8 billion in Lottery Aid to Education for the fiscal year 2023-2024. This funding is allocated to local school districts based on a formula that considers district size and income levels, ensuring that larger, lower-income districts receive a proportionately larger share of lottery funding.
As these winners bask in their newfound fortunes, it’s essential for them to remember the importance of responsible gambling. Those struggling with gambling addiction or who know someone who is can seek help by calling the state’s toll-free, confidential HOPEline at 1-877-8-HOPENY (1-877-846-7369) or by texting HOPENY (467369). Additionally, the National Council on Problem Gambling offers resources for those in need.
With lottery games continuing to gain popularity, players across the country are eagerly purchasing tickets in hopes of achieving their dreams. Whether it’s a scratch-off ticket or a drawing game, the thrill of potentially winning big keeps players engaged and excited. As the lottery landscape evolves, one thing remains clear: luck can strike at any moment, changing lives forever.
