Hell no wonder they can turn a profit, they come up with some crazy numbers so no one can hit : = }

008 only 438 people had it out the entire state, yea they made a profit today!

I see how they made a record profit, look at how many people win on there game, they have one the lowest payouts around. It don't take a rocket scientist to figure out what's they're doing, just add up the amount of people that hit with the payout amount, and you'll be able to see that they system is rigid. Honestly they know what we play, and then make sure that number don't come out, that's why there's no one in NC can hit big. Don't take my advice just start adding the numbers yourself.

Example 827 people hit for a total of $63,790

so let's say a half of 827 hit straight, so, 413 x 500 = 206,500 well over the payout

so let's say half of the 413 hit it straight, so 211 x 500 = 105,500, still well over there payout

so let say half of the 211 hit it straight, so 105 x 500 = 52,500 so you have 11,290 left, so that mean you have 722 tickets left. So let say those tickets are only for $40 , that is 722 x 40 = 28,880. Now 28880 + 52,500 = 81,380, still over the payout amount, anyway I hope you get me drift, NC lottery is rigged to limit a very small payout, basically they know what's been played, they have 15 minutes to check the numbers and select what numbers they want to come, to pay out the lowest amount.

So now I know you're like how can they do that, simple the drawing are at 3pm and 11:22pm that gives the plenty of time to take the lowest values put only that ball in each machine, you notice that you never see all the numbers on the balls, they always show you a far away view, and then they show only the top view of the picks, Pay attention to the drawings, you will never see the balls from 0 to 9 go in the machines you'll only get to see what comes out. I know some of you don't think it possible, but that's what's going on, like I said earlier start counting the payouts, why do we have more people here in NC than Georgia, Virginia or SC but have the lowest payout. Why is it that millions play daily but only 400, people hit and sometimes lower. That's only 4 people per county. I've been studying them for awhile now, and I'm just bringing this to your attention. We're not stupid, why you think there's certain numbers that never come out, because they know there's a big wager on that number. NC LOTTERY IS A SCAM, IF SOMEONE THINK IT'S NOT, TELL THEM TO SHOW US THE BALLS AS THEY GO INTO THE MACHINES, AND LET'S SEE THE NUMBERS OURSELF, IT WANT TAKE LONG SO IF YOU'RE MAKING MILLIONS ON LOTTERY I'M SURE PAYING A HUNDRED DOLLARS FOR 5 MORE MINUTES OF AIR TIME WANT HURT THERE POCKETS.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE BUT PAY CLOSE ATTENTION, YOU'LL BEGIN TO SEE THE FLAWS, WITH THAT ALL SAID PLAY SAFE.

My daughter pointed out this same theory to me a couple of months ago. You probably have a valid point jasonNC.

I do agree on the amount of money earned compared to how much ncel actually pays out to pick 3 games and other tickets... on www.wral.com it shows how much each county has won in pick 3 games compared to other counties. guilford county the one I live in is one of the highest compared to the raliegh county or charlotte county...

I am off by one stinking number 90% of the time. it does make me wonder how many people were playing what number I was playing...

north carolina is not paying out very much

True, I live in NC, and all the state games have some of the worst payout rates in the country.  You are better off just playing the national Powerball, at least then you are with everyone else in a Powerball state.

Speaking of which, in trying to decide between annuity and cash option, has anyone run the numbers to see the better choice?  My last attempt at an analysis using the $52 million jackpot as an example, they seem to be getting about a 5% return on the $25.5 million invested in an annuity in order to pay out $52 million to you over 30 years.

When I tried to figure out the return you'd have to get to match that in the 'cash option' scenario, I started with a figure of $14.79 million, which is the $25.5 million less all the taxes you'd probably end up owing if you took all the money at once.  The site shows an after tax figure about $2.5 million higher (for NC residents), but that is only accounting for the 28% withholding figure, and realistically you'd probably have another 10% higher tax bill, since the top tax rate is well over 28%.

So in my calculations, starting with a much lower amount than the state (due to the taxes), I anticipate I would need to get about an 11% return just to basically match the figures in the annuity.  Does anyone end up with similar numbers?   11% would be very difficult to hit without taking a fair amount of risk, and it seems like if you are going to shoulder the risk you should do better than the annuity by a lot.  Anyone agree, disagree?  I also don't think spending your days trying to figure out how much more money you can earn would be the point either, wouldn't the point be to enjoy the freedom from financial worries, issues and pressures?

In today's market and economy I would take the 30 years of payments. If I invested everything and I lost it I would be sick. NOw having someting come in every year would promise me something. Even If I lost my job for a little bit or had no job at all, I would have enough money from the 30 years of payments to live off the bacis...

What an Excellent profit,may be they could also extend cash gifts to Churches and other institutions