'Dreams do come true': Man wins $837K lottery prize after sister dreams he'd find gold

A North Carolina man won over $837,187 on a lottery ticket after his sister said that she dreamt he found gold.

David Atwell, a Kannapolis resident, about 27 miles northeast of Charlotte, bought a $1 Cash 5 ticket at Jiffy Quik which made him a lucky winner on April 27, the North Carolina Education Lottery said in a press release.

Starting with a jackpot of $100,000, Cash 5 players have a chance to win big off of a jackpot that continues to grow until someone wins. To increase your chances of winning on the Cash 5 players can add a “Double Play” for $1 which will add your numbers to a second drawing for a chance to win additional prizes, the lottery said.

Atwell told lottery officials about his sister’s dream that soon became an unthought of reality.

“In her dream I found a bunch of gold,” he said. “I guess dreams do come true.”

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Although this grand win was unexpected, Atwell claims that he’s always had luck on his side.

“My family always said I was the luckiest one in the family,” he said.

Atwell said as he matched all five of the white ball numbers, he had no idea that he’d soon win that jackpot.

“I was stunned,” Atwell said. “At first I saw the jackpot went back down to $100,000 so I knew someone hit it. I had no idea it was me.”

When he realized he had the lucky ticket, Atwell could not contain his excitement, his wife told lottery officials.

“He was hollering so much it scared the cat,” Cherie Atwell said.

Atwell claimed his prize at the North Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Raleigh on April 30. After taxes, he took home a lump-sum amount of $598,591.

What does the lucky man plan to do with his winnings?

With his cash prize of nearly $600,000, Atwell plans to pay for some bills and donate some of his winnings to his church, the lottery said.

What are the odds of winning Cash 5?

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 and 962,598.0, the North Carolina Education Lottery said.

The overall odds are 1 in 10.5, the lottery said.

Where can you buy lottery tickets?

In order to purchase a ticket, you'll have to visit your local convenience store, gas station or grocery store - and in a handful of states, you can get tickets online.

You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Texas, Washington D.C. and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.

Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. Must be 18+, 21+ in AZ and 19+ in NE. Not affiliated with any State Lottery. Gambling Problem? Call 1-877-8-HOPE-NY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY); 1-800-327-5050 (MA); 1-877-MYLIMIT (OR); 1-800-981-0023 (PR); 1-800-GAMBLER (all others). Visit jackpocket.com/tos for full terms.