Johnston County, N.C., September 21, 2025
News Summary
Jhonatan Hurtado Espinal from Johnston County has won the first $1 million top prize in North Carolina’s newest scratch-off game, $1,000,000 Bonus Match. The winning ticket was purchased at Compare Foods in Clayton. Espinal chose an immediate cash payout, taking home approximately $430,503 after taxes. This win highlights the popularity of the state’s lottery games, which have seen several recent large jackpots as players continue to seek their fortunes.
Johnston County Resident Wins First $1 Million Prize in New State Lottery Game
Johnston County, N.C., has witnessed a notable lottery victory as a local resident, Jhonatan Hurtado Espinal, secured the first $1 million top prize in North Carolina’s newest scratch-off game, $1,000,000 Bonus Match.
Details of the Winning Ticket
Espinal purchased his winning ticket from Compare Foods, a grocery store located on East Second Street in Clayton, North Carolina. The Bonus Match game, which debuted in August 2023, features a total of five $1 million top prizes, with four still unclaimed as of now. Espinal’s methodical choice of ticket proved to be highly fortunate, marking a significant milestone for the game and local lottery players alike.
Prize Selection and Disbursement
Following the win, Espinal was given two options for his winnings: an annuity of $50,000 annually for 20 years or a lump sum payment. He opted for the immediate cash payout, receiving a gross amount of $600,000 prior to taxes. After deductions for state and federal taxes, his total take-home amount was approximately $430,503.
Official Announcements and Context
The North Carolina Education Lottery (NCEL) announced the victory publicly, emphasizing the ongoing allure and excitement surrounding new lottery games, especially those offering large jackpots. The recent success adds to North Carolina’s lottery enthusiasm, which has been in the spotlight in recent weeks due to multiple big wins.
Other Recent Lottery Wins in North Carolina
In a demonstration of the state’s lottery’s ongoing appeal, another resident of Clayton recently won $2 million in the Powerball game on Labor Day. The winner matched five white balls in the Powerball drawing and purchased a $3 Power Play ticket online, highlighting how different players are participating through various means.
Powerball Lottery Details
The Powerball jackpot currently stands at a staggering $1.3 billion, making it one of the biggest jackpots in U.S. history. The game’s odds of winning the jackpot remain extremely low at approximately 1 in 292 million. The winner of such a jackpot has the option to receive a lump sum payment of around $589 million, before taxes.
Responsible Gambling and Resources
While lottery games offer the chance for significant winnings, them also carry risks. The report highlights the importance of responsible gambling, encouraging individuals with concerns or issues related to gambling to contact the NC Problem Gambling Helpline.
This latest lottery success story reflects the ongoing interest in North Carolina’s lottery offerings, with players continually vying for large jackpots while participating in a range of games designed to entertain and potentially reward. The state continues to promote awareness of both the opportunities and potential risks linked to gambling activities.
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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
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FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
