In a stroke of incredible luck, a woman beat one-in-15.5 million odds to win a massive progressive jackpot while playing an online lottery game.
Carrie White, a resident of Raleigh, North Carolina, struck gold when she won a $717,538 jackpot while playing her favorite digital instant game, Bison Bonanza.
The North Carolina Lottery announced the big win on the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter):
Raleigh resident Carrie White bet $2 on Bison Bonanza, her favorite Digital Instant game, and won a $717,538 jackpot! “I cried,” White recalled. “I just couldn’t believe it.” She plans to put her winnings toward a down payment on a home. Congrats, Carrie! https://t.co/6sExEZVgyspic.twitter.com/wJ2Bn9Xsef
— NC Education Lottery (@nclottery) February 18, 2025
White played a $2 ticket and won the game’s top prize—the "Epic Jackpot." Bison Bonanza features a progressive jackpot that can be won at any time. It rivals another massive jackpot win in North Carolina at a Harrah's casino.
Progressive Jackpot Win Creates a Life-Changing Moment
White recounted the life-changing moment that left her in tears. "I cried," she admitted. "I just couldn’t believe it." Overwhelmed, she kept logging back into her account to confirm her win. "That’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing," White marveled.
She claimed her prize at lottery headquarters this week. After federal and state tax withholdings, she took home $514,835. She plans to use her winnings to make a down payment on a new home.
What's hard to believe is that this isn't a record-setting jackpot.
William Gazaille scored the biggest digital instant jackpot in North Carolina lottery history when he instantly won the Epic Jackpot on a $10 Bison Bonanza ticket in October. The jackpot had just reached $1.3 million.
What Is the Bison Bonanza Game?
Bison Bonanza is a popular digital instant game offered by the North Carolina Education Lottery. It features a progressive jackpot that players can win anytime, transforming a small investment into a potentially massive reward.
Starting Jackpot Levels:
- BIG Jackpot: Starts at $300
- MAJOR Jackpot: Starts at $5,000
- EPIC Jackpot: Starts at $50,000
Players pick their wager, from as low as 50 cents up to $30, and there are three ways to win:
Match Symbols: Find five or more matching symbols to win a prize.
Bonus Round: Uncover three Bison Coin Symbols to spin the Bonus Wheel, guaranteeing a win.
Wild Symbols: Unlock free plays that feature Wild symbols with 2X and 3X multipliers.
Unlike scratch-off games, there are no set number of prizes for the Digital Instants! So when a prize is won, it doesn't decrease the available prizes, as there is no limit on the number of prizes that can be won.
The game’s jackpot resets to $50,000 each time it's won. Since White's big win, the jackpot has already grown to over $200,000, continuing to attract hopeful players across the state.
Growing Popularity of Online Casino and Digital Instant Games
North Carolina's dive into digital gaming represents a modern twist on traditional lottery play, offering people new and exciting chances to win big.
This trend aligns with the rising popularity of online casinos and sweepstakes casinos, which provide a diverse array of games such as slots, online poker, and virtual table games like blackjack.
Sweepstakes casinos continue to gain popularity because they typically offer no deposit bonus codes to make it easier to get started.
These platforms offer players the thrill of hitting substantial jackpots with small wagers, further fueling the appeal of digital gaming experiences. The opportunity to win life-changing amounts of money with just a few clicks has made these online platforms a popular choice for thrill-seekers and casual gamers alike.
Carrie's story is a testament to the opportunities that these digital platforms provide for people across the country, and she now joins the ranks of those whose lives have been instantly transformed.
More states are advancing laws to increase online casino games in the United States. Most gamblers enjoy legal casinos, whether online or in-person, without any problems.
However, some people may face challenges with gambling addiction. That's why we need programs that promote responsible gambling. If you gamble, please remember to set limits and play responsibly.
