Lottery player thought he won enough to pay for groceries — but NC prize was much more
A North Carolina man thought his lottery prize would pay off his grocery bill — but it was worth much more.
Ner Wah, who lives in New Bern, later realized he had won $267,513, according to the N.C. Education Lottery.
“My hands and feet started tingling,” Wah said May 26 in a news release. “It really made my dreams come true.”
After winning the big prize, Wah said he hopes to give back to others. He was in a refugee camp before he came to the United States more than a decade ago.
“I want to help my refugee people back in Burma,” Wah told lottery officials. “They need a lot of help.”
Burma, also known as Myanmar, is a country in Southeast Asia. “Burma remains a country in transition to democracy, and faces significant ongoing challenges and human rights issues,” according the U.S. State Department.
Wah got the windfall after he went to Klo Htoo Asian Market in New Bern, roughly 115 miles southeast of Raleigh. While at the store, he spent $5 on his first-ever ticket for a Fast Play jackpot game.
“My friend was in there playing and he asked if I wanted to try it,” Wah said. “I just had a feeling in my mind like I was going to win something.”
Wah’s intuition turned out to be spot on when the ticket he bought beat 1-in-320,000 odds to win big. He kept $189,962 after taxes.
“I was just happy because I thought it would be enough to cover my groceries,” said Wah, who initially figured he had won $20 or $30.
It’s not the first time a lucky Eastern North Carolina lottery player has had generous intentions.
In 2020, a Marine veteran won $10 million and planned to donate to a charity focused on helping military families, McClatchy News reported.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREWhen gambling is more than a game
Gambling is designed to be a source of entertainment.
If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.
This story was originally published May 26, 2022 at 2:29 PM with the headline "Lottery player thought he won enough to pay for groceries — but NC prize was much more."
