GREENVILLE, N.C., July 14, 2026 — Jeanette King, a Greenville resident, became an instant millionaire Tuesday after scratching off a $1 million top prize. She is the first winner of the new game’s top prize, the North Carolina Lottery confirmed.
King purchased the scratch-off ticket at a local retailer. The exact store location has not been disclosed. Officials said the game was introduced only weeks ago. King claimed the prize at the lottery’s regional office.
“I couldn’t believe it,” King said in a statement released by the NC Lottery. “I kept checking the ticket.” The lottery did not disclose whether she chose the lump sum or annuity option. After federal and state tax withholdings, a one-time payout would be roughly $600,000.
The new scratch-off game, titled “Mountain of Cash,” launched in late June. It features a $20 ticket price. The odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.75. The odds of claiming the $1 million top prize are 1 in 1,080,000.
The game has five $1 million top prizes initially. King’s win is the first. Two other top prizes remain unclaimed, according to lottery data. The game also offers prizes of $50,000, $10,000, and $1,000.
| Prize Tier | Amount | Remaining Prizes |
|---|---|---|
| Top Prize | $1,000,000 | 2 |
| Second Prize | $50,000 | 8 |
| Third Prize | $10,000 | 45 |
Local news outlets WCTI12 and WITN covered the win extensively. Residents in Greenville, a city of roughly 90,000, expressed excitement. Retailers reported a spike in scratch-off ticket sales Tuesday afternoon.
Lottery proceeds benefit North Carolina education programs. Since 2006, the NC Lottery has raised over $10 billion for education. King’s win adds to that funding stream through tax revenues.
King has not publicly detailed her plans for the money. Financial advisors typically recommend lottery winners consult a tax attorney and a fee-only planner. The priority should be to establish a trust and avoid immediate large purchases.
Scratch-off games generate roughly 60% of the NC Lottery’s annual sales. The “Mountain of Cash” game is part of a portfolio of 20 active instant games. Officials said the game will remain on sale until all top prizes are claimed.
King’s story is a statistical outlier. The chances of winning any lottery jackpot remain extremely low. The North Carolina Lottery encourages players to play responsibly and set a budget.
💡 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Q: Who is Jeanette King and how did she win $1 million?
- A: Jeanette King is a Greenville, N.C. resident who won $1 million by scratching off a ‘Mountain of Cash’ lottery ticket, becoming the first top-prize winner of the new game.
- Q: What are the odds of winning the $1 million prize in this scratch-off game?
- A: The odds of winning the $1 million top prize are 1 in 1,080,000, while the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 3.75.
- Q: How much will Jeanette King actually receive after taxes?
- A: If she chooses the lump sum option, after federal and state tax withholdings, she would receive approximately $600,000.
- Q: Are there still $1 million prizes available in the ‘Mountain of Cash’ game?
- A: Yes, two of the five $1 million top prizes remain unclaimed, along with other prizes like $50,000, $10,000, and $1,000.
Extended Reading
For full official details, refer to the NC Lottery’s original announcement dated July 14, 2026, at nclottery.com. Local coverage is available via WCTI12 and WITN.