PLAYERS Some players are winning so often, and so big, that their good fortune defies logic.
How much would a repeat lottery winner really have to spend? A UNC professor explains.
goff@charlotteobserver.com  abell@charlotteobserver.com
As the 10-year anniversary of the N.C. Education Lottery approached, The Charlotte Observer started the most in-depth review of lottery winners ever conducted outside of the agency.Observer reporters analyzed a spreadsheet of 189,000 claims of at least $600 from 2006 through late 2015. That’s the minimum amount the IRS requires lotteries to disclose.Reporters investigated lottery winners who repeatedly beat high odds. These players made dozens of trips to lottery claims centers. Some of them were licensed retailers, who sell tickets and are entrusted to serve as gatekeepers to potential riches.
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By GAVIN OFF and ADAM BELL
SOLUTIONS Five ways the N.C. lottery can improve the integrity of its games.
© 2016 THE CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
Reporters paid particular attention to winners of scratch-off games. Unlike draw games such as the Pick 4, where a player can place multiple bets on a single number, one scratch-off ticket can result in only one win.The Observer reviewed retailer disciplinary records, interviewed more than 60 players, store owners, lottery officials, experts and others, and sent data to statisticians at several universities.
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DESIGN and INTERACTIVE: DAVID PUCKETT
This man won the lottery 55 times, including three mega wins.
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RETAILERS Meet convenience store owners who won the lottery a lot more than their customers.
PLAYERS Some players are winning so often, and so big, that their good fortune defies logic.
RETAILERS Meet convenience store owners who won the lottery a lot more than their customers.
SOLUTIONS Five ways the N.C. lottery can improve the integrity of its games.
SOLUTIONS Five ways the N.C. lottery can improve the integrity of its games.
As the 10-year anniversary of the N.C. Education Lottery approached, The Charlotte Observer started the most in-depth review of lottery winners ever conducted outside of the agency.Observer reporters analyzed a spreadsheet of 189,000 claims of at least $600 from 2006 through late 2015. That’s the minimum amount the IRS requires lotteries to disclose.Reporters investigated lottery winners who repeatedly beat high odds. These players made dozens of trips to lottery claims centers. Some of them were licensed retailers, who sell tickets and are entrusted to serve as gatekeepers to potential riches.Reporters paid particular attention to winners of scratch-off games. Unlike draw games such as the Pick 4, where a player can place multiple bets on a single number, one scratch-off ticket can result in only one win.The Observer reviewed retailer disciplinary records, interviewed more than 60 players, store owners, lottery officials, experts and others, and sent data to statisticians at several universities.
goff@charlotteobserver.com  abell@charlotteobserver.com
PLAYERS Some players are winning so often, and so big, that their good fortune defies logic.
How much would a repeat lottery winner really have to spend? A UNC professor explains
RETAILERS Meet convenience store owners who won the lottery a lot more than their customers.
RETAILERS Meet convenience store owners who won the lottery a lot more than their customers.
PLAYERS Some players are winning so often, and so big, that their good fortune defies logic.
SOLUTIONS Five ways the N.C. lottery can improve the integrity of its games.
goff@charlotteobserver.com abell@charlotteobserver.com