North Carolina man accidentally wins $177K lottery jackpot

RALEIGH, N.C. (WBTV) – Following a crazy turn of events, a North Carolina man is more than $177,000 richer after he accidentally won a digital lottery game.

Alphonzo Oates, who lives in Raleigh, said he thought he was playing the digital game in “demo mode” when he scored the big win.

“It surprised the heck out of me,” he said with a laugh.

He won the $177,749 prize while playing the “Epic Jackpot” in the “Wheel of Bonuses” game on Halloween.

Oates said he plans to use the money to pay off his daughter’s last year of college and called it her Christmas gift.

“I’m glad that my daughter will be able to graduate debt-free,” he said. “It’s a happy moment.”

Digital instant games are played exclusively online on the state lottery’s website or on the North Carolina Education Lottery’s mobile app. More than 30 different games are available online.

Following Oates’ win, the game’s progressive jackpot restarted at $50,000, and has since climbed to more than $197,000 as of Dec. 6.

Also Read: Gaston County man wins $2 million on scratch-off after grocery run

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