N.C. man accidentally wins $177,749 jackpot in online lottery game – UPI.com

Alphonzo Oates was surprised to win a $177,749 jackpot in the Wheel of Bonuses online lottery game because he thought he was playing in demo mode. Image courtesy of the North Carolina Education Lottery

“I thought I was playing in demo mode,” Oates said. “It surprised the heck out of me.”

Oates’ $1 play earned him a $177,749 prize.

He said the prize money will give his daughter an extra-merry Christmas.

“I can use this to pay off my daughter’s last year of college,” he said. “That will be her Christmas gift.”