James Mosley of High Shoals, North Carolina, won a $250,000 Powerball prize in the Sept. 23 drawing using family birthday numbers he almost stopped playing just three weeks earlier.
Mosley bought the $3 ticket at Will’s Food Stores on Dallas High Shoals Highway in Dallas, North Carolina. His ticket matched four white ball numbers—5, 15, 26, 29, and 30—plus the red Powerball number 14. Standard game rules award a $50,000 base prize for matching four white balls and the Powerball. However, Mosley added the $1 Power Play option, which quintupled his payout when the 5X multiplier was drawn.
“I’ve played the same numbers for years and three weeks ago I thought about stopping but my wife convinced me not to,” Mosley told North Carolina Education Lottery officials.
How family birthday numbers and a Power Play add-on created a $250,000 win
The sequence Mosley played for years combines his birthday, his wife’s birthday, and the birthdays of three of their grandchildren. Despite maintaining the set for years without a major win, Mosley considered calling it quits in late August before his wife persuaded him to keep playing.
When the winning numbers came up, convincing his wife that the prize was real became a second challenge. “I called my wife to tell her and she didn’t believe it,” Mosley said in a press release. “She said, ‘Don’t be lying to me.'”
His wife recalled her initial reaction when he broke the news. “I said, ‘James, don’t do this to me,'” she said.
Once she saw photos of the physical ticket, she wanted to announce the news immediately. Mosley urged caution until they submitted the ticket to lottery officials: “Then she wanted to call everybody and tell them. I’m like, ‘Don’t tell nobody. Not until we find out for sure.'”
The couple claimed the prize at North Carolina Lottery headquarters in Raleigh. After mandatory tax withholdings, Mosley received a check for $180,026. Holding the oversized commemorative check, he asked staff, “Do I get to keep that as a souvenir?” He plans to use his winnings to remodel his home.
Breakdown of North Carolina lottery tax withholdings
Lottery winnings exceeding $5,000 in North Carolina are subject to mandatory tax withholdings before the prize money is released. For Mosley’s $250,000 payout, the North Carolina Education Lottery retained required state and federal taxes upfront:
- Gross Prize Amount: $250,000
- Federal Income Tax Withholding (24%): $60,000
- North Carolina State Income Tax Withholding (4.75%): $9,974
- Net Cash Payout: $180,026
Players calculating potential tax liabilities or analyzing state payout structures can refer to our international Powerball tax and eligibility guide.
How Power Play works to boost non-jackpot prizes
Powerball tickets cost $2 per play, with the option to add Power Play for an extra $1. The Power Play feature multiplies non-jackpot cash wins by 2, 3, 4, 5, or 10 times depending on the multiplier number drawn before the main white balls.
Reviewing Powerball rules and odds clarifies how multipliers apply across lower prize divisions:
| Match Combination | Base Prize | Prize with 5X Power Play | Odds of Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 White Balls + Powerball | Grand Prize / Jackpot | Not Applicable | 1 in 292,201,338 |
| 5 White Balls | $1,000,000 | $2,000,000 (Fixed Cap) | 1 in 11,688,053 |
| 4 White Balls + Powerball | $50,000 | $250,000 | 1 in 913,129 |
| 4 White Balls | $100 | $500 | 1 in 36,525 |
| 3 White Balls + Powerball | $100 | $500 | 1 in 14,494 |
The 10X Power Play multiplier is available only when the advertised jackpot estimate is $150 million or lower. The overall odds of winning any prize in a Powerball drawing are 1 in 24.87.
How to verify winning numbers and buy Powerball tickets
Powerball drawings occur every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday at 10:59 p.m. Eastern Time in Tallahassee, Florida. Tickets are sold in 45 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Players checking previous drawing numbers can use our dedicated Powerball number checker to review historical payouts and winning number lists.
For individuals residing outside participating states or abroad, securing official entries is possible through a licensed online lottery messenger service. In participating jurisdictions, players can also complete an online lottery ticket purchase directly through official state lottery websites or licensed lottery apps.
Frequently asked questions
How long do North Carolina lottery winners have to claim Powerball prizes?
North Carolina lottery regulations give winners 180 days from the drawing date to submit winning tickets. Unclaimed prizes after 180 days revert to the state education fund.
Does selecting Power Play increase your odds of matching numbers?
No, Power Play does not alter the mathematical odds of matching winning numbers. It only increases the cash payout amount for lower tier prizes if your numbers match.
Can Powerball winners in North Carolina remain anonymous?
No, North Carolina law requires public disclosure of the winner’s full name, city of residence, prize won, and ticket purchase location. Street addresses and phone numbers remain non-public.
Play responsibly. Lottery games are a form of entertainment, not an investment.
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