RALEIGH – The NC Education Lottery (NCEL) sold the only winning Powerball ticket for last night’s drawing worth $88.1 million! The jackpot ticket matching the five white balls and the Powerball was sold in Kings Mountain. The $88.1 million prize will be paid in 30 payments over 29 years, unless the winner elects to take the one time cash lump sum. The one time cash lump sum is worth approximately $42 million. Both payment amounts are subject to federal and state withholdings.

“This is a thrilling time for North Carolina because we will now anxiously sit and wait to see who may be holding that winning ticket,” said Tom Shaheen, NCEL executive director. “For security and integrity purposes, the retailer that sold that ticket will not be announced until we complete our security and operational procedure checks.”

NC Powerball players need to check their tickets and make sure they sign the back of the ticket. The winner has 180 days from the date of the drawing to claim their prize at NCEL headquarters in Raleigh. It is recommended that the person who thinks they may be holding the winning ticket call the lottery for instructions.

This is the second time North Carolina has had a Powerball jackpot winner. Jackie Alston of Halifax bought the first winning Powerball jackpot ticket. Her winning ticket worth over $74 million was for the Nov. 29, 2006 Powerball drawing. The NCEL launched Powerball May 30, 2006.