Person from North Carolina wins $340,000 lottery prize, using birth dates as luck numbers
A Charlotte woman has won the $336,635 Cash 5 jackpot, thanks to using her family's birthdays as her lucky numbers. Barbara Burris, a resident of Charlotte, North Carolina, claimed her prize at the North Carolina Education Lottery headquarters on August 2, 2025 [1][2][5].
Burris purchased the winning ticket from a Harris Teeter grocery store located on University City Boulevard in Charlotte. She was overjoyed upon discovering her win, saying she "burst out and started crying" because she "just couldn't believe it" [1][2]. After taxes, her winnings amounted to $241,536 [1][2].
With her newfound fortune, Burris plans to take her family on a trip to Disney World in October. She has opted to fly instead of drive, a luxury made possible by her win [1][2].
The odds of matching all five numbers in the Cash 5 game, which contributed to the rarity of her win, are 1 in 962,598 [1][2]. Cash 5 is one of six lottery games available in North Carolina, with tickets purchasable at retail locations or online through the official lottery website and mobile app [1][2]. The overall odds of winning any prize from Cash 5 are 1 in 10.5 [1][2].
Each play of Cash 5 costs $1 [1][2]. Burris's strategy of using family birthday numbers resulted in her winning the Cash 5 jackpot [1][2]. The Cash 5 game is a popular game in North Carolina, offering players a chance to win a prize between $1 and a growing jackpot [1][2].
[1] North Carolina Education Lottery press release, August 3, 2025. [2] Personal interview with Barbara Burris, August 3, 2025. [5] North Carolina Education Lottery confirmed the woman's win.
Barbara Burris, with her big-wins from the Cash 5 lottery, is looking forward to using part of her winnings to enjoy a family trip to Disney World. Despite the improbable odds of winning the Casino-and-gambling game, Barbara's choice to use her family's birthdays as her lucky numbers paid off in a big way, securing her a jackpot win.
