When it comes to playing the lottery, North Carolinians aren’t holding back. In fact, the state has quickly become one of the top spots in the nation where lottery sales are booming—thanks in part to a major shift toward digital options.
Back in 2023, the North Carolina lottery commission gave the green light for digital instant games, and that decision is paying off big time. Today, nearly 40% of all sales come from Digital Instants, the lottery’s online product. That means thousands of players are now skipping the convenience store and buying tickets right from their phone or computer.
But it’s not just the technology fueling this surge. Big jackpots have been driving excitement, too. Just this past weekend, shoppers across the state spent a whopping $16.8 million chasing the record-breaking $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot. To top it off, Mega Millions rolled to $453 million just days later—proving that when the numbers climb, so does the frenzy.
And let’s not forget—North Carolina is one of the few states where you can actually purchase tickets through an official app or website. That convenience has opened the door for younger players and tech-savvy buyers who might not have otherwise stopped at a gas station to grab a ticket. Combine that with the state’s population growth, and it’s no wonder sales are climbing higher year after year.
Still, there’s an interesting financial twist to all this. Matt Schulz, chief consumer finance analyst at LendingTree, dug into census data and found that the average North Carolinian shells out about $421 a year on lottery tickets. That makes the state the 12th highest in the nation. Compare that to Massachusetts, where people spend a jaw-dropping $915 per person annually, while North Dakota comes in at the bottom with just $50.
Schulz pointed out something worth remembering: “People know they’re more likely to be struck by lightning than win, but they enjoy dreaming about what they’d do if they actually hit the jackpot.” It’s that dream—the chance of instant fortune—that keeps players buying in, even when the odds are stacked against them.
Here’s some perspective, though. If someone put that same $421 into a 5% savings account every year for five years, they’d end up with about $2,300—a guaranteed return and a whole lot more practical than scratching tickets. But practicality doesn’t come with the thrill of hearing those winning numbers called out on a Saturday night.
Of course, there’s also the darker side of lottery fever. While many play casually for fun, gambling can become a serious problem for some. If you or someone close to you is struggling, North Carolina offers support through More Than A Game NC, a resource that connects people with help when playing stops being just entertainment.
So, whether it’s scratching a digital instant ticket on your phone or chasing the billion-dollar dream in a Powerball draw, North Carolinians are spending—and dreaming—big. Just remember, while jackpots can change a life overnight, smart money habits can build wealth quietly in the background.
👉 Exciting takeaways:
-
NC lottery sales are skyrocketing—40% now come from digital games.
-
Players spent $16.8M chasing the $1.8B Powerball jackpot in one weekend.
-
The average NC resident spends $421 yearly on tickets (12th highest in the U.S.).
-
A $421 annual lottery budget could grow to $2,300 in savings over five years.
Login