Siblings use birthday numbers, win $400K lottery prize

• Lucky for Life drawing awarded a tier-two prize to a brother and sister who used birthday numbers to match the winning numbers drawn
• The duo won $25,000 a year for life and claimed their prize as a one-time sum of nearly $400,000 earlier this week
• The North Carolina Education Lottery discontinued Lucky for Life in mid-February

Siblings beat the odds of 1 in 1.8 million to win a life-altering prize in North Carolina.

That’s the story of a brother and sister from Winnabow, Brunswick County, who scored a tier-two prize from the Lucky for Life game.

The duo split nearly $400,000

The winners purchased their $2 ticket from the E-Z Way Grocery on North Howe Street in Southport.

Interestingly, they claimed their life-changing prize earlier this week, but the game drawing took place on December 27, 2025.

The pair matched all five white balls in the Lucky for Life drawing at the time to win the sweet prize of $25,000 a year for life.

In an interview with an official with the North Carolina Education Lottery, the fortunate siblings admitted that they used family birthdays when picking the numbers.

"We are thrilled that the winning numbers represent special dates," the duo said.

Arriving at the Lottery’s headquarters earlier this week, the siblings faced a difficult choice: to collect a one-time lump sum or receive $25,000 a year for life.

The Winnabow siblings picked the former option and split up a sweet $390,000 one-time lump sum.

Each of them took home approximately $195,000 and after the relevant federal and state taxes, each saw their bank accounts increase by $140,443.

Asked about their plans for their newfound fortune, the brother and sister said they plan to do some home and car repairs as well as pay some bills.

Lucky for Life drawings halted in mid-February

Late in January, the North Carolina Education Lottery announced its plans to end Lucky for Life game drawings.

At the time, the Lottery said that it would be introducing a new game in place of Lucky for Life.

The game’s last drawing was held on February 21, 2026.

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