Robert Vandenberg of Raleigh will have a more comfortable retirement after a second-chance drawing delivered him a $1 million top prize.
“This couldn’t have come at a more perfect time,” Vandenberg said.
Vandenberg, a kindergarten teacher, found out he won his prize in the first of four $8 Million Money Maker Second Chance drawings when he got a notification from the lottery. There were 979,465 total entries in the drawing.
“It was a big wow,” recalled Vandenberg, who has been teaching for over 30 years. “It was really cool.”
When Vandenberg arrived at lottery headquarters Tuesday, he had a decision to make. He could choose to receive his prize as an annuity of $50,000 over 20 years or a lump sum of $600,000. He chose the lump sum of $600,000 and, after required tax withholdings, took home $430,500.
“We are ecstatic about this,” he said.
Players get a second chance with their $8 Million Money Maker scratch-offs by scanning them into their lottery accounts where they are automatically entered into the drawing. The drawing had one top prize of $1 million, three $100,000 prizes, 10 $25,000 winners and 50 winners of $500.
The N.C. Education Lottery’s Play Smart™ program helps North Carolinians make the most of their lottery play. Visit ncplaysmart.com to learn about all things lottery, from tips on how odds work to how to enter bonus drawings. If you or someone you know needs support, visit morethanagame.nc.gov/ for free, confidential help.
11 COMMENTS
Login to leave a comment.
3/22/2025 02:37 – John D.
FLOYD P. I SEE YOU’RE PAYING ATTENTION KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK IT’S FUNNY HOW WAKE COUNTY ALWAYS HAVE BIG WINNERS NO ROCKET SCIENTIST REQUIRED HERE PEOPLE I TELL YOU ALL PAY ATTENTION AND LET’S MOVE TO WAKE COUNTY THAT’S WHAT NCEL WANT US TO DO
3/15/2025 10:32 – John D.
Congratulations on your win. Yet another big win none in Eastern North Carolina
3/13/2025 10:44 – Scott M.
It’s been a week or so and the problem still isn’t fixed with trying to enter any tickets for 2nd chance drawings. Whats going on?NC Lottery
We’re sorry about that, Scott! We are still working to resolve these issues and hope to have things back to normal soon. We apologize for the inconvenience.
3/13/2025 08:59 – Steven B.
in retirement,join a Bowling league.you will meet all kinds of new friends and its very social
3/13/2025 01:39 – Eshe B.
What?? So he really won less than half a million
3/12/2025 11:39 – Duane C.
Congratulations
3/12/2025 11:09 – Billy B.
Congratulations sir
3/12/2025 06:36 – Gloria C.
Congratulations. Enjoy your winnings.
3/12/2025 06:03 – george j.
Congratulation Kindergarten teacher what a gift,shout out to you on your winning
3/12/2025 05:32 – Charles H.
Wake county and a Teacher. This should be proof enough that the drawing was fixed.
3/12/2025 04:44 – Floyd P.
LOL…can’t make this stuff up. Glad and happy for Robert, BUT…yet another $100k+ win in Wake County. Those of us watching the details know just how much NCEL’s “random winner” algorithm is clearly flawed.
Where to Play
Contact Us
Videos
Business Opportunities
For Retailers
Help
Accessibility
Rules & Terms
Privacy
Disclaimer
Regulated Gaming
MUST BE 18 TO PLAY. Odds to win a prize and the top prize vary based on the game or promotion. See game or promotion pages for more detail.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the winning numbers posted on this website are accurate; however, no valid claim may be based on information contained herein. In the event of a discrepancy between the numbers posted on this website and the official winning numbers, the official winning numbers as certified by the Multi-State Lottery Association and/or the NCEL shall control. All materials on this Website are owned by or licensed to the NCEL. Materials on this Website may not be modified in any way or reproduced or publicly displayed, performed or distributed or otherwise used for any public or commercial purpose without the express written consent of the NCEL. Copyright © 2006-2025. The North Carolina Education Lottery. All rights reserved. Play Smart™ term is a service mark of the Illinois Lottery licensed to the NCEL.