New N.C. lottery game exceeds expectations

Oct 10, 2006, 9:45 am (9 comments)

North Carolina Lottery

Lottery officials say North Carolina's newest game sold more tickets than expected this weekend.

Carolina Pick 3 launched Friday with its first drawing. Those who know the pick 'em games were fired up to see the new game start last week.

"It gives you more opportunity to win, plus it gives you the opportunity to spend more money, put it back into the state and back into the schools," lottery player Shawn James said.

More money was spent than lottery officials expected. Through Sunday, sales topped $1 million and paid out nearly a half million in prizes to more than 5000 players.

The lottery will launch another pick 'em style game, Carolina Cash 5, on October 27. Retailers and lottery officials hope this will pick up sales after a slow summer.

"The first real measuring stick starts July 1, and the first three months are a little slow because people are on vacation and school starts and have other expenses to worry about," NC Education Lottery Executive Director Tom Shaheen said.

Shaheen says the two pick 'em style games will add about $5 million a week and will begin a busy season for the lottery.

"We introduced the Carolina Hurricane ticket last week, the $5 ticket. We introduced Pick 3 on Friday and then Carolina Cash 5 on October 27, then October 31, two of our four holiday games are going out, then November 7, the other two are going out," Shaheen added.

He hopes a lot of people will use those holiday tickets as stocking stuffers to help make up for the slow summer.

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CASH Only

North Carolina's scratches pay out only 52%, probably the lowest prize return on scratch games of any US lottery. That probably explains the eagerness to play Pick 3 and Powerball.

cps10's avatarcps10

That is the truth...we suck.

Kidzmom's avatarKidzmom

NC Lottery scratch off tickets is is bad!!  I still go to Virginia to play them and also the mega millions.  It's only 15min away so its not an issue,

NCPicks

It's great to have Pick 3 in NC.Now,people have a choice to play or not.I'm looking forward to the new pick 5 that will start soon.Good Luck to all who play in NC.

Tenaj's avatarTenaj

Quote: Originally posted by NCPicks on Oct 10, 2006

It's great to have Pick 3 in NC.Now,people have a choice to play or not.I'm looking forward to the new pick 5 that will start soon.Good Luck to all who play in NC.

Yes NodNC should add the midday pick 3 while people are excited about it and playing.  I'm sure it won't be that hard to do since the equipment is in place.  I'm glad to hear that people are hitting.  Congrat$$$$$$$$$$$ to them.  I'm looking forward to the pick 5 as well.

Franklassgirl30's avatarFranklassgirl30

Yes NodI think NC should have the midday pick 3 also, that way we want have to wait so long to see if we have won something!!

cps10's avatarcps10

I agree. Midday Pick3 makes sense. I have heard they may put that into place along with Pick 4 in the Spring. I don't know that for sure, but have heard that from some people that are interested in it.

Now that I'm a Ft. Mill resident, I can play Pick 3/Pick 4/Pick 5/Powerball in two different states...that is convenient, especially when the online stores get yanked away soon.

NCPicks

Quote: Originally posted by Tenaj on Oct 10, 2006

Yes NodNC should add the midday pick 3 while people are excited about it and playing.  I'm sure it won't be that hard to do since the equipment is in place.  I'm glad to hear that people are hitting.  Congrat$$$$$$$$$$$ to them.  I'm looking forward to the pick 5 as well.

Hi Tenaj,I hope you are playing and will hit the pick 3 soon.I'm sure that NC will add a midday pick at some time.They usually try to spread out the introduction of games to keep people interested over a longer period of time.They can see how a pictular game is doing.

It will be interesting to see if they go midday or pick 4 first.With the pick 5 starting at the end of Oct. I don't think they will introduce any new draw games before next year.

cps10's avatarcps10

Quote: Originally posted by NCPicks on Oct 11, 2006

Hi Tenaj,I hope you are playing and will hit the pick 3 soon.I'm sure that NC will add a midday pick at some time.They usually try to spread out the introduction of games to keep people interested over a longer period of time.They can see how a pictular game is doing.

It will be interesting to see if they go midday or pick 4 first.With the pick 5 starting at the end of Oct. I don't think they will introduce any new draw games before next year.

I have heard new games next Spring...I think we are finished with new ones this year like you said.

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