Chelsea Carter won a $626,543 prize from an online lottery game on her 40th birthday. Photo courtesy of the North Carolina Education Lottery
A North Carolina woman celebrated her birthday by playing an online lottery game that earned her “the best birthday present ever” — a $626,543 prize.
Ocean Isle Beach resident Chelsea Carter told North Carolina Education Lottery officials she decided to play the Monopoly digital instants game at around 2 a.m. on her 40th birthday.
The decision earned her a $626,543 jackpot.
“I was in shock,” Carter said. “I started shaking my husband telling him to wake up. I go, ‘I just won $626,000,’ and he laughed and closed his eyes.”
Carter visited lottery headquarters and took home $449,548 after required federal and state tax withholdings.
“This the best birthday present ever,” Carter said. “I want to turn 40 every year if this is going to happen.”
Carter said she plans to use her winnings to make investments and give her three children a financial safety net for the future.
