North Carolina

Wife discovers husband’s wild tale of winning NC Lottery is totally true, state says

Bryan Caves of Willow Spring, North Carolina, called his wife immediately to tell her he had a winning Cash 5 ticket.
Bryan Caves of Willow Spring, North Carolina, called his wife immediately to tell her he had a winning Cash 5 ticket. NC Education Lottery photo

It’s not uncommon for a wife to doubt her husband’s tale spinning, but one North Carolina woman took disbelief to a new level when she questioned her husband’s claim of winning the lottery.

Bryan Caves of Willow Spring says his wife was the first person he called after winning a hefty Cash 5 prize, and she refused to take his word for it, according to a Nov. 29 N.C. Education Lottery news release.

“She couldn’t believe it so she drove to the store to double-check it,” Caves said.

Staff at Logan’s Safeway Mini Mart in Four Oaks told her it was true. He had beaten odds of 1 in 962,598 by matching all five numbers in the Nov. 16 drawing, officials said.

The jackpot was $120,000.

His wife’s reaction to the news was not revealed, but Caves admitted he was ecstatic, surprised and elated all at the same time.

The ticket cost $1 and Caves says his goal was to win a lesser prize in the November Bonus Cash promotion. “I really just got it hoping to win one of the $500 prizes,” he said.

Caves claimed his winnings Nov. 28 and the cash came to $85,501 after tax withholdings, state officials said.

He intends to use the money to pay off his mortgage and spend the rest on home repairs, officials said.

Carolina Cash 5 is a “rolling jackpot game” that offers the potential to win every night, according to the lottery. Jackpots start at $100,000 “and it keeps climbing until somebody wins it all.”

BEHIND THE STORY

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When 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.

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This story was originally published November 29, 2023 at 3:22 PM with the headline "Wife discovers husband’s wild tale of winning NC Lottery is totally true, state says."

MP
Mark Price
The Charlotte Observer
Mark Price is a state reporter for The Charlotte Observer and McClatchy News outlets in North Carolina. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology. 
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