From $3 to $100,000: How One Powerball Ticket Changed a Man’s Life
Jeffrey Beam of Rodanthe, Dare County, recently turned a tiny $3 lottery investment into a life-changing payday. By matching a set of winning numbers in the Powerball drawing, Beam walked away with $100,000—all from a single ticket purchased online.
Beam’s win came on January 12, 2026, and he wasted no time claiming his prize. After state and federal taxes were deducted, he received $72,011.
How the Win Happened
Beam bought his ticket using Online Play, available through the lottery’s website or mobile app. Here’s how his $3 ticket turned into six figures:
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He matched four white balls and the red Powerball, earning $50,000.
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He added the Power Play option, and when a 2X multiplier was drawn, his winnings doubled to $100,000.
Beam picked up his winnings at Lottery Headquarters, and the state released details confirming his prize and how it was calculated.
The Powerball Jackpot Today
While Beam had his lucky moment, the Powerball jackpot continues to grow. The estimated jackpot as of this article is $43 million (annuity value), or about $19.4 million cash before taxes. The jackpot climbs with every drawing until someone hits all six numbers.
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Odds of winning the jackpot: 1 in 292 million
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Odds of smaller prizes (like Beam’s win): Much better
Every draw gives players another chance at hitting the massive jackpot, even if winning the top prize is extremely rare.
Playing Powerball in North Carolina
Powerball is one of six draw games offered by the North Carolina Education Lottery. Tickets can be purchased:
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At retail stores
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Online through the NC Lottery website or Official Mobile App
Online Play makes it easy to buy tickets, check results, and manage your account from the comfort of home.
Lottery officials remind players to play responsibly, check tickets after each drawing, and sign the back of tickets for safety.
For Jeffrey Beam, a simple online ticket turned into a six-figure win, proving that even a small gamble can lead to a big reward.
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