Lottery player stops for soda, wins $115K jackpot in North Carolina

• A life-enhancing jackpot was won by a lucky player who decided to buy some soda and give a popular draw game a chance
• The fortunate winner admitted to experiencing an "unreal feeling" after scoring the $114,614 jackpot
• Bingo Bucks costs $2 and offers odds of winning any prize of 1 in 4.07

A man who had a craving for soda and decided to buy a lottery ticket, too, was surprised by a sweet jackpot.

Earlier this week, the North Carolina Education Lottery confirmed that a Gastonia man won a six-figure prize from its Bingo Bucks game.

$2 Bingo Bucks ticket brings hefty jackpot

The fortunate winner purchased his ticket at S’Mart located at Bessemer City Road in Gastonia.

In an interview for an official with the Lottery, the lucky man said that he had a craving for a special holiday soda late last week.

"We went there to get the Shirley Temple 7-Ups," the player recalled, explaining that besides the soda, he also purchased a Bingo Bucks ticket.

To his surprise and shock, the $2 Bingo Bucks ticket brought him a whopping $114,614 jackpot.

Considering that the Gaston County man purchased a $2 ticket, he received 20% of the progressive jackpot, which was an estimated $573,070 at the time.

Recalling the moment, he realized that he had won, the Gastonia resident said: "It was an unreal feeling."

Visiting the North Carolina Education Lottery on Thursday to claim his prize, the lucky man said that he intends to pay some bills and enjoy the Christmas holidays with his family.

Since state and federal taxes apply to lottery winnings in North Carolina, the lottery player's bank account increased by $82,236.

Considering the latest windfall, the lucky man is undoubtedly looking forward to magical holidays together with his family.

The North Carolina Education Lottery's Bingo Bucks is part of its Fast Play portfolio.

The game offers players a chance to win a prize between $2 and a share of a progressive jackpot.

The odds of winning the top prize are 1 in 320,000.00, while the overall odds of winning any prize are 1 in 4.07.

Image credit: North Carolina Education Lottery