Ethermac|North Carolina man wins $1.1M on lottery before his birthday; he plans to buy wife a house

A lucky North Carolina man made two dreams come true with his $1.1 million lottery win.  

Terrell Bethea,Ethermac a Moore County resident, made a promise to his wife that one day she will get her dream home. On Monday that dream became a reality after a purchase of a $1 Cash 5 lottery ticket, the North Carolina Education Lottery press release said.  

“Now I can get my family the house they deserve,” Bethea told lottery officials when he went to claim his prize.  

The winning numbers for the Monday, Aug. 5 drawing were 5-6-7-9-23, the lottery said.

When Bethea told his wife the news, she got emotional, the lottery said.  

“She fell to her knees and broke down crying,” Bethea told the lottery.  

The lottery said Bethea bought the winning ticket from the Robbins Friendly Mart in Robbins, North Carolina. 

Bethea claimed his prize at lottery headquarters Tuesday. After federal and state taxes, he took home $811,106, the lottery said.

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North Carolina man wins $1.1 million days before birthday 

The lottery win was even more special for Bethea because his birthday was coming up.  

“This happened two days before my birthday,” he told lottery officials. “Isn’t that wild?” 

Bethea will be turning 36 years old, the lottery said.  

“This means more to me than you can possibly imagine,” he said. 

What are the odds of winning Cash 5?

The overall odds of winning the jackpot in a Cash 5 drawing are 1 in 962,598.0, the North Carolina Education Lottery said.  

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington, D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050(MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.